FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire once again for prematurely taking to social media to publicise his agency's involvement in a major investigation, this time concerning the deadly shooting at Brown University.
Premature Claim on Suspect Detention
Following a shooting at Brown University on Saturday which left two people dead and nine injured, Patel posted on the social media platform X. In his post, he stated that the FBI had assisted in detaining a "person of interest in a hotel room" in Coventry, Rhode Island, based on a lead from Providence police.
However, this narrative quickly unravelled. The individual, a 24-year-old from Wisconsin, was released from custody just hours later due to insufficient evidence. The actual shooter remains at large. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha clarified on Monday that while the detention was justified initially, there was only a "quantum of evidence" linking the person to the case.
A Pattern of Erroneous Posts
This incident is not an isolated one for the FBI Director. In September, after the murder of commentator Charlie Kirk on a college campus, Patel posted online that the subject was "now in custody," despite the shooter not having been apprehended at that time. That error drew sharp criticism from conservative circles, with some dubbing him "Keystone Kash" in reference to the inept Keystone Cops of silent film fame.
The latest misstep has ignited a fresh wave of condemnation. Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the liberal outlet MeidasTouch, accused the administration of "always looking to declare victory while seeking praise." Commentator Adam Cochran, with over 265,000 followers on X, called for Patel's immediate resignation, citing incompetence. Author Don Winslow pointed out this was the "SAME thing" that had happened before, labelling Patel "totally UNFIT" for the role.
Internal Concerns and Leadership Questions
The external criticism echoes reported internal discontent. A report compiled earlier this month, citing agents within and recently departed from the bureau, described Patel as "in over his head" and leading a "chronically under-performing" agency. FBI sources reportedly told a national group that Patel lacks the necessary experience, leaving the bureau a "rudderless ship" paralysed by fear and plummeting morale.
Despite the furore, local authorities have stated they do not believe the Brown University shooter poses an ongoing threat to the community. The investigation, which continues with FBI involvement, has yet to yield an arrest.
