Who is Benjamin Erickson? The former US Army soldier held as person of interest in Brown University shooting case

Brown University shooting: Who is Benjamin Erickson, the former US Army soldier under investigation?

In a significant development in the Brown University shooting case, authorities have identified a 24-year-old man as a person of interest. Benjamin Erickson was taken into custody early Sunday following an 11-hour manhunt across Rhode Island.

According to the New York Post, Erickson was arrested before dawn at a Hampton Inn in Coventry. He is being questioned in connection with the mass shooting that took place on Brown University’s Providence campus on Saturday afternoon during a final-exam study session.

The attack occurred around 4.30 pm inside a first-floor classroom at the Barus & Holley building, home to the university’s engineering and physics departments. Two students were killed and nine others were injured after the gunman opened fire and fled the scene.

Police said Erickson is not a current Brown student, but investigators are examining whether he previously studied at the university or had other connections to the institution. No charges have been filed so far, and authorities have stressed that he is being held only as a person of interest.

The Providence Police Department has not officially confirmed Erickson as the suspect. NBC News reported that, at this stage, only the identity of the person of interest is known, and further details remain under investigation. A joint probe involving the police and the FBI is underway.

NBC News cited sources as saying investigators are examining whether Erickson may have had a history of mental illness. “Authorities are looking into what might be an extensive mental health history for Erickson, the sources said,” the report noted.

The Washington Post reported that Erickson is a resident of Wisconsin and may have previously lived in Washington, D.C., citing public records.

The US Army confirmed that Erickson served in the military. “Benjamin W. Erickson was an Infantryman (11B) in the Regular Army from May 2021 to November 2024. He has no deployments and left the Army in the rank of specialist,” an Army spokesperson said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Erickson was tracked using the geolocation of his phone. When arrested, police recovered two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines, according to authorities.

Law enforcement officials said the shooter fired more than 40 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. CCTV footage showed a man matching Erickson’s description walking near the campus before the attack. Shell casings were recovered inside the building.

CNN reported that Erickson told authorities he had remained in his hotel room at the time of the shooting. The motive remains unclear, and public records show no immediate criminal history.

A revolver and a handgun fitted with a specialised laser light were also found in his hotel room. Sources told The Post that the distinctive laser attachment helped investigators identify and locate the person of interest.

Following the shooting, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the campus and surrounding neighbourhoods. It was later lifted, though all final examinations were cancelled.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said one victim remained in critical condition, seven were stable and one had been discharged. An additional victim with non-life-threatening injuries was identified hours later.

Students described scenes of panic as shots rang out. “We decided to turn the lights off and close all the doors and hide under our desks,” Chiang-Heng Chien, a PhD engineering student, told NBC affiliate WJAR.

US President Donald Trump offered condolences while speaking at a White House event. “What a terrible thing it is, and all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt,” he said.