On Dec. 16, law enforcement received a tip about an Reddit post claiming to have information related to the suspect in the Dec. 13 mass shooting at Brown. The poster — whose identity was never confirmed to the public — went on to provide information that “blew this case right open,” Attorney General Peter Neronha P’19 P’22 said in a Dec. 18 press conference.
The poster’s interview with law enforcement made up a substantial part of the affidavit released by Neronha’s office that identified the suspect. In that document, the poster is referred to only as “John.” Community members have since dubbed him “Reddit John.”
Weeks after the affidavit’s release, City Councilors Jill Davidson ’89 (Ward-2) and Sue AnderBois (Ward-3) started a fundraiser for OpenDoors Rhode Island — a nonprofit that, among other services, provides shelter for people experiencing homelessness — to honor “Reddit John.”
“Reddit John showed what it means to care for a community when it matters most,” the fundraiser description reads. “Let’s honor John by showing that his act of care can spark countless others.”
Since then, the fundraiser has gathered over $33,000.
AnderBois started the fundraiser because her constituents “really wanted to do something to honor John,” she told The Herald. “There’s so many people who want to help out, and this is a way to kind of channel that and help some of our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.”
Many community members, including AnderBois, believe that John has experienced homelessness. AnderBois added that she believes John’s actions have made Providence residents more aware of those impacted by homelessness.
In 2025, 1,022 individuals were experiencing chronic homelessness in Rhode Island. In 2024, 1,000 households were on the prioritization list for rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing, but only an average of 19 housing opportunities opened per month, The Herald previously reported.
“When someone steps forward and does something important, people pay attention to them as individuals,” Nick Horton ’04, co-executive director of OpenDoors R.I., told The Herald.
There are Rhode Islanders “all across the state sleeping on the street right now in the freezing weather,” he said. Even $100 is enough to cover the cost of a tent or sleeping bag that “on a freezing night, maybe can save their life," he added.
AnderBois added that she hopes John will receive the reward offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that “we, as a society, and us, as Providence, treat him in a way that respects his dignity.”
The FBI did not comment on whether reward money has been released, Tim Callery, a spokesperson for the agency, wrote in an email to The Herald.
“I've seen acts of extreme generosity and courageousness by other people that we serve, people who are also largely ignored or forgotten,” Horton said. “I’m thankful for anyone who is paying attention.”
Ava Stryker-Robbins is a sophomore and a Metro editor at The Herald.
Talia is a metro section editor covering the health and environment and community and culture beats. She is a sophomore from Bethesda, MD studying history and international and public affairs. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Providence one wrong turn at a time.
