The mass shooting at Brown University has shoved Providence Mayor Brett Smiley into the national spotlight, causing some people, largely outside of the state to ask who he is.

Authorities say a person of interest who was in custody in connection with Saturday's Brown University mass shooting is being released. “Shortly, we will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today," Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has been thrust into the national spotlight following the mass shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine more.