In a major development in the Brown University shooting case, authorities have identified a 24-year-old man as a person of interest.Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old man, was arrested before dawn Sunday at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, after an 11-hour manhunt, the New York Post reported. He was wanted in connection with a mass shooting on the Brown University campus in Providence during a finals session Saturday around 4:30 p.m. Two students were killed and nine others were injured when the gunman opened fire.
Police said Erickson was not a current student, but investigators were investigating whether he attended Brown University or had other ties to the institution. He was considered a person of interest; No charges were filed.
Was Erikson part of the US Army?
According to the records, Erickson served in the U.S. Army. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from May 2021 to November 2024 and left the military with the rank of specialist, an Army official told The Post.His voter registration indicates an affiliation with the Statehood Party, according to public records.
What did the police find in his hotel room?
Police officials said the shooter was armed with a pistol and fired more than 40 9mm rounds. CCTV footage showed a man matching his description walking down a street near the campus before the attack. Shell casings were marked with evidence tags inside the building where the shooting occurred.Sources said investigators were also looking into whether Erickson had long-standing mental health issues. “The man told authorities he was in his room the entire time on Saturday when the shooting occurred,” CNN said.The motive remained unclear. According to public records, Erickson initially appeared to have no criminal record. A revolver and a small handgun with a special laser light were found in his hotel room, sources and CNN reported. Sources told the Post that the unique laser light on the gun helped lead them to the person of interest.The FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey team geolocated Erickson at the Coventry hotel, according to agency director Kash Patel. According to CNN, police also used video evidence, tips from the public, an investigation of license plate readers and other clues to track him down.
What happened at Brown University?
The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. during a final exam session for a business course taught by Rachel Friedberg, who also served as a faculty associate in the school’s Jewish studies program. One victim remained in critical condition, seven were considered stable and one had been released, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told reporters Sunday morning.“As a community, we continue to mourn the tragic loss of life due to gun violence that claimed the lives of two of our students yesterday,” Brown University President Christina Paxson said in a statement. “The last 24 hours have been truly unimaginable – it is a tragedy that no university community is ever prepared for. While we always prepare for major crises, we also pray that a day like this never comes,” she added.The curfew on campus has been lifted, but all final exams have been canceled. “During this time, it is important that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to members of our community as we deal with the grief, anxiety and fear that is affecting us all at this time,” said school superintendent Francis J. Doyle III said in a message.
Trump offers his condolences
US President Trump also mourned the victims and spoke at a Christmas event at the White House shortly before a mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia. “I just want to pay my respects to the people, unfortunately two are no longer with us, Brown University, nine are injured, and two are looking down on us from heaven right now,” Trump said.A candlelight vigil for the victims was held at the Lippitt Memorial on Sunday instead of the city’s Christmas festivities, Providence City Councilwoman Sue AnderBois said, as hundreds gathered. “We are gathered here to share light in one of Providence’s darkest times,” she said. “Our hearts hurt for the two Brown University students who lost their lives to gun violence yesterday and for the nine others injured, their families and the entire Brown and Greater Providence community.
