Brown University removed a student's profile amid false rumors linking him to a Dec. 13 shooting; authorities confirm no connection.

Brown University removed a first-year student’s profile from its website, sparking social media speculation that he was linked to a December 13 shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. The student, Mustapha Kharbouch, a Palestinian refugee studying international affairs and anthropology, has not been connected to the attack by law enforcement, which has not named a suspect. Despite widespread online claims, including false assertions about his social media accounts and alleged flight, authorities and Brown University have stated the profile removal was unrelated to the investigation. Both the university and Rhode Island’s attorney general condemned the spread of unverified information, warning that doxxing and rumors endanger individuals and hinder the ongoing probe.