Keystone Kash's Latest Blunder: Wrong Guy Detained in Brown Shooting

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing intense criticism after federal authorities released a 24-year-old Army sniper detained as a person of interest in the deadly mass shooting at Brown University.

The FBI released a 24-year-old Army soldier detained in connection with a mass shooting that killed two students and injured nine others at Brown University, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Sunday.

The soldier's name and photo had been leaked to the media following his detention.

A gunman opened fire during a study session for an introductory economics final exam around 4 p.m. Saturday.

The victims included Ella Cook, 19, vice president of the university's Republican club.

The release leaves investigators without a suspect in custody nearly 48 hours after the attack.

Patel had posted on X Sunday touting the FBI's use of advanced cellphone tracking to locate the individual at a Rhode Island hotel.

The soldier, who allegedly traveled from Wisconsin with a firearm, was freed hours later.

Former FBI special agent Steve Moore told CNN that authorities must now re-evaluate evidence.

"You pretty much have to throw out, not the evidence, but the conclusions from the evidence," Moore said. "And you start, basically, as if you're seeing the evidence for the first time and say 'Where should this lead us?'"

The incident echoes Patel's handling of the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, where he announced on X hours after the killing that "the subject" was in custody. The individual was released two hours later without charges. The actual suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was apprehended 48 hours afterward.

Patel also drew public backlash in October for announcing the FBI had thwarted a terror plot in Michigan before all suspects were in custody and charges filed, raising concerns that the premature disclosure could have tipped off fugitives.

Patel is also drawing the ire of Trump supporters in other areas. His girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, has filed multiple $5 million defamation lawsuits against conservative figures, including Rift TV CEO and podcaster Elijah Schaffer and former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin, for insinuating or discussing rumors claiming she is an Israeli intelligence agent assigned to influence him.

Patel has been accused of mishandling the January 6 pipe bomb investigation, with many, including FBI whistleblowers, concluding that the man the bureau arrested, Brian Cole Jr., is not the culprit.

Additional controversies swirling around Patel include reports of using the FBI's Gulfstream jet for personal trips, such as to Pennsylvania for Wilkins' concert and a Texas hunting resort.

In September testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett criticized Patel's leadership in the Kirk case.

"If it wasn't for parents deciding they were going to turn in their child, it seems like y'all wouldn't have got there, even though he literally confessed online," Crockett said.

Patel responded: "I don't give a damn what they say about me as long as I'm succeeding in the mission."

Patel has earned the nickname "Keystone Kash" for repeated premature announcements.

The investigation into the Brown University shooting continues, with the gunman still at large.