Crime
Who Is Mustapha Kharbouch? Brown University student who falsely accused on social media of being the suspect
Statements have been released by the legal team representing Mustapha Kharbouch, a Brown University student who was falsely accused on social media of involvement in the recent mass shooting on campus.
Authorities have since identified the actual suspect, and there is no evidence linking Kharbouch to the attack.
In a formal press statement, Kharbouchโs attorneys said their client has been subjected to an intense and harmful online smear campaign following the shooting, which left two students dead and several others injured.
The legal team emphasized that Mustapha Kharbouch is a respected and exemplary member of the Brown University community, describing him as an exceptional student and an engaged global citizen.
They stated that, for more than a week, Kharbouch was targeted by a disturbing wave of racist, Islamophobic, and anti-Palestinian harassment, including efforts to falsely associate him with the tragedy solely because of his Palestinian identity.
According to the statement, these baseless allegations not only damaged Kharbouchโs reputation, but also risked diverting law enforcement attention from legitimate investigative leads at a critical time.
The legal team confirmed that, prior to the identification of the actual suspect, they fully cooperated with law enforcement, responding to inquiries regarding Kharbouchโs whereabouts on the day of the shooting.
The attorneys directly attributed the online attacks to anti-Palestinian racism, stating that bad-faith actors attempted to assign blame to Kharbouch based solely on his ethnicity and political advocacy.
They warned that such narratives do not merely harm one individual, but also serve to vilify Arab and Muslim communities more broadly and contribute to a dangerous climate of hate.
The statement referenced previous acts of violence fueled by similar rhetoric, including the killing of 6-year-old Wadea al-Fayoume in Chicago and the 2023 shooting of three Palestinian-American students in Vermont, one of whom was affiliated with Brown University.
Following the spread of misinformation by far-right online influencers, several Brown University webpages that referenced Kharbouch were temporarily removed.
His legal team said this was a standard safety precaution taken to protect individuals who have been doxxed and subjected to credible threats. They stressed that no one should be forced to endure harassment, death threats, or fear simply because of their identity.
Now that the suspect has been identified, the legal team expressed hope that Kharbouchโand the broader Brown University communityโcan begin to heal and grieve without further misinformation or harassment.
In a personal statement, Mustapha Kharbouch described the experience as deeply traumatic:
โThe past few days have been an unimaginable nightmare. I woke up on Tuesday morning to unfounded, vile, Islamophobic, and anti-Palestinian accusations being directed toward me online. Instead of grieving with my community in the aftermath of the horrible shooting, I received non-stop death threats and hate speech.โ
Kharbouch added that while his experience was painful, it reflects a broader pattern faced by marginalized communities:
โThis is a story every Arab, Muslim, Palestinian, and marginalized person knows all too well. We should not live in a world where this is acceptable or normal.โ
He reaffirmed his commitment to speaking out against racism and injustice, stating that he would not be silenced for his identity or his advocacy for Palestinians.
Kharbouch also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received from friends, faculty, staff, and strangers, saying those messages have helped restore his faith in a world that stands firmly against hate in all its forms.
ERIE, Pa. โ Matthew S. Stone, also known as Matt Stone, has reportedly been identified as the suspected gunman in a deadly mass shooting at a residence on Perry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Friday, October 9, 2026.
The shooting reportedly claimed nine lives, including those of his daughter, Angelina Stone, and her two young children, according to information shared by family members and other reports.
Authorities responded to a residence at 722 Perry Street at approximately 5 p.m. after receiving emergency calls reporting gunfire.
The incident developed into an hours-long standoff before officers entered the home and found multiple victims.
The suspected shooter was also found dead inside the residence, reportedly from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The reported identification of Matthew S. Stone as the suspect has added another painful dimension to a tragedy that has devastated relatives, friends and the wider Erie community. However, the suspect’s identity and the reported family relationships should be treated as unconfirmed unless officially verified by law enforcement.
Angelina Stone, 24, her 5-year-old son, Isiah Hodges, and her nearly 2-year-old daughter, Amariโanna, have reportedly been identified among those killed in the shooting.
Family-shared information and a fundraising appeal described Angelina as pregnant and expecting a baby boy named Kyrie in the coming weeks. The reported deaths of Angelina and her children have left relatives and friends grieving the loss of a young mother and the children whose lives were cut short.
Information shared by family members reportedly identified Matthew S. Stone as Angelina’s father and the person responsible for killing her and her children. However, the information available for this report does not establish that police have officially confirmed the suspect’s identity, the family relationships or the allegations surrounding the deaths.
Lora Roberts, a mother of five and volunteer advocate for people experiencing homelessness, has also reportedly been identified as a victim.
Roberts was known for her community service and was reportedly a former member of the board of directors of Community of Caring, an Erie nonprofit that provides food and shelter to people in need.
According to information shared about the incident, Roberts was reportedly attempting to help a family member escape when she was shot. Her reported death has left five children without their mother and loved ones mourning a woman remembered for her compassion and willingness to help others.
April Miles Pineiro shared a heartfelt tribute remembering Jonathan and Matthew Stone as close childhood friends who helped make her early years unforgettable.
Pineiro recalled meeting the brothers when they were children and quickly becoming part of a close group of neighborhood friends. They spent hours playing outdoors, including hide-and-seek games in which the boys sometimes wore a clown mask to scare their friends.
She remembered how the children continued spending time together through cold and snowy weather and how they walked to the school bus stop together when they learned they would attend the same school.
Pineiro also recalled Jonathan’s childhood crush on her and a memorable visit to a park when playful horseplay on a slide ended with both brothers falling. She described these memories with affection, emphasizing the lasting bond they shared.
In her tribute, Pineiro expressed heartbreak over the reported deaths and promised to cherish their memories.
โI’ll love you ALWAYS AND FOREVER Matthew and Jonathan,โ she wrote.
Her words reflected the depth of the friendships and the profound grief being felt by those who knew the brothers.
According to reports, witnesses told investigators that a man fired a handgun outside the residence before entering the home. Two women were initially found dead in the street.
Erie police officers and the department’s SWAT team surrounded the property and attempted to persuade the man inside to surrender. Additional gunshots were reportedly heard while officers remained outside.
Police eventually entered the residence and discovered additional victims in different areas of the home, including children. The suspected shooter was found dead inside, reportedly with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the public after the situation was contained.
Erie Police Chief Rick Lorah described the incident as devastating and deeply disturbing for the officers and investigators involved.
โThe loss of life is devastating, and the circumstances we are working through are deeply disturbing,โ Lorah said.
Mayor Daria Devlin also expressed condolences to the victims’ families and everyone affected by the tragedy, calling it a terrible loss for the community.
The Erie County Coroner’s Office and police investigators remained at the scene late Friday to document evidence and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Counseling was reportedly being made available to responding officers following the traumatic incident.
The reported deaths of Angelina Stone, her children, Lora Roberts and other victims have left families and friends facing an unimaginable loss.
Community members continue to share tributes, remembering the victims through stories of childhood friendships, family bonds and efforts to help others.
Authorities are working to establish the full sequence of events and confirm the identities and relationships of those involved. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional official information may clarify the reported identity of the suspected shooter and the circumstances leading to the deadly incident.