Gov. Dan McKee (D-RI) expanded safety precautions in Rhode Island schools on Monday, as the state reels from the shooting at Brown University that left two students dead.
The governor ordered a sweeping review of school security in both K-12 and higher education. And he requested increased local police presence at schools to “provide reassurance for students, families, educators, and staff.”
The development comes as schools across the state responded to the attack by adapting operations, temporarily closing or announcing plans to shutter through winter break.
“As a parent who has sent my children off to college, I can only imagine how families are feeling right now,” McKee said in a statement. “And I assure you: The safety and well-being of your children and all Rhode Islanders are my priority.”
Rhode Island Postsecondary Commissioner Shannon Gilkey and Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green are leading the effort to conduct “a full review” of school safety plans.
McKee said he is partnering with the Rhode Island League of Cities & Towns to boost police presence at academic institutions.
The manhunt to capture the suspect who gunned down students at Brown University studying for final exams last Saturday has now stretched into its fourth day.
Authorities have struggled to obtain footage of the gunman’s face, but released new video and photo evidence Monday as they enlisted the public’s help in apprehending the shooter.
“I’m hoping that based on the images and video that we just released that someone is going to be able to identify this individual,” said Providence police chief Col. Oscar L. Perez Jr.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the gunman.
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“Like so many of us who have been impacted by the tragedy at Brown University this weekend, I am anxious to have the shooter identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” McKee said this week.
Brown canceled its remaining fall semester classes after the shooting injured nine students and killed two. One of the victims was Ella Cook, vice president of the Brown College Republicans chapter. The other was Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, from Uzbekistan.
