Podcast Summary: The Five
Episode: Police Release New Enhanced Video Of Brown University Shooting Suspect
Date: December 17, 2025

Overview

This episode of "The Five" centers on the ongoing investigation into the deadly mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The panel provides live commentary as local officials, federal agents, and university leadership release new, enhanced video footage of the suspect and update the public on the case through a highly anticipated press conference. Discussions span the effectiveness of the investigation, institutional transparency, the political aftermath, and community responses, capturing both the gravity of the tragedy and the frustrations of all involved.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest on the Investigation and Video Release

• Enhanced Video Evidence: Providence Police and the FBI released new, six-minute enhanced video footage tracing the suspect across 15 surveillance clips from Saturday, taken largely from residential cameras around Brown University. There is no audio; authorities urge the public to study body movements and posture to aid identification (06:40-08:30).

• Public Assistance Plea: Police call for residents and businesses to check private camera systems—including Teslas' dashcams—for footage on or before the day of the shooting (08:30-09:40).

  “We’re asking the public to look at the movement patterns—how this person moves their arms, their posture, how they carry their weight. That may help you identify the individual.” – Colonel Oscar Perez, Providence Police ([08:10])

• Investigation Scope: Close collaboration cited among Providence Police, the FBI, and Brown University. The FBI deployed victim specialists and is canvassing terabytes of footage. Nearly 200 actionable tips are being followed up.

• Suspect Details: The person of interest is believed to have been casing the area as early as 10:30 am on the day of the shooting—indicative of premeditation (19:15-19:30).

  “We strongly believe [this is] the suspect in the incident and a person of interest.” – Colonel Oscar Perez ([19:43])

2. Press Conference Analysis

• Transparency & Criticism: The panel sharply criticizes Brown University’s and officials’ earlier lack of transparency and controlled information flow. Jesse Watters calls the initial press conference an “embarrassment” and accuses leadership of protecting Brown’s reputation at the expense of public trust (03:35–04:55).

• Security Footage Gaps: Questions arise about why video from inside the building wasn’t released. Attorney General Narona explains the shooting took place in an older section with few cameras, while available footage from newer parts only shows chaos post-incident (25:09–26:45).

  “A multimillion dollar school with a huge endowment could afford new cameras in an old building.” – Brian Kilmeade ([26:56])

• Delayed Canvassing: Residents and business owners reported not being contacted for potentially useful camera footage until days after the shooting, raising questions about the investigation’s urgency (24:02–24:40).

3. Law Enforcement, School, and Political Responses

• Authorities’ Plea for Patience: Multiple officials (Mayor, FBI, Attorney General, Governor) ask the community for patience, assure ongoing intensive work, and underscore the difficulty and complexity of the investigation (11:15–13:22).

• Brown University’s Stance: President Christina Paxson assures full law enforcement cooperation and stresses the institution’s commitment to campus safety. She rejects public notions that Brown is unhelpful or secretive (13:29–14:44).

  “Brown is deeply committed to the safety and security and well being of our community... The shooter is responsible.” – President Christina Paxson ([13:34])

• Community Impact: Statements emphasize the emotional toll, with city leadership praising school staff for maintaining normalcy and strength for students (14:44–18:08).

4. Panel’s Post-Conference Critique & Unanswered Questions

• Frustrations & Theories: The panel notes significant unanswered questions—Why delay on revealing if the shooter yelled anything? Was the crime targeted? Did the suspect have access to Brown facilities? Could political tensions (e.g., international students, protests) be a factor? (30:00–32:11)

  “We still don’t know what this guy yelled. ...Why didn’t the shooter shoot the guy he came eye to eye with? ...Is there an international angle that they’re concerned about?” – Jesse Watters ([30:13])

• Comparisons to Other Investigations: Dan Bongino laments lack of coordination, pressing for better use of AI, cell tower data, and rapid ID efforts seen in other high-profile cases (32:28–33:58).

• Confidence Issues: Kennedy questions university and police competence, doubting if current efforts are sufficient to reassure the community (35:11–37:32).

  “If there was a student who was targeted during this class, would it have been known who was going to be there? …There are over 800 cameras there... and all of the footage they provided is from ring cams.” – Kennedy ([35:11])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Information Overload—Gutfeld’s Law:

  “All information could be distilled to 5% of its volume... you realize that it’s two facts that are repeated in a dozen different ways.” – Greg Gutfeld ([07:23], [29:00])

• Personal Impact Stories:

  “A second-grader literally skipping to the front door... he doesn’t know everything that’s going on in this scary world right now. The strength of the adults has allowed that little kid to skip to school this morning.” – Mayor of Providence ([14:44])

• Sharp Panel Critique:

  “The entire leadership team is a joke. Hopefully the FBI can come in and make some real progress.” – Jesse Watters ([04:50])

• On Brown University’s Responsibility:

  “The shooter is responsible. Horrific gun violence took the lives of these students and hospitalized others. ...We are cooperating fully with law enforcement.” – President Christina Paxson ([13:40])

Important Timestamps

• [00:34] – Episode launch and context
• [00:34–06:40] – Introduction and press conference setup, initial panel comments
• [06:40–09:58] – Airing of the enhanced suspect video and police request for public assistance
• [09:58–18:08] – Press conference: FBI, Attorney General, Governor, Brown President, and city updates
• [18:08–32:11] – Q&A: investigation efforts, press, and panel critique; issues of video access, suspect details, and security protocols
• [29:00–37:32] – Panel’s extended reactions, investigative skepticism, and institutional trust issues

Tone and Style

The discussion is serious and, at times, impatient and skeptical, marked by political and institutional scrutiny. Panelists express frustration with perceived gaps in information, slow response, and communication shortcomings from authorities and Brown University. Some levity is injected through personal anecdotes, the show's staple banter, and Gutfeld’s comic asides, but the core is a pointed public critique in the face of a community crisis.

This summary captures the substantive content of the episode’s main block, providing a broad understanding for listeners who missed the show.