The man arrested after the deadly shooting at Brown University has now been named by law enforcement.
Police say the suspect is Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old former U.S. Army infantryman, as investigators work rapidly to piece together what led to the attack that shook the Ivy League campus.
The shooting unfolded Saturday afternoon inside the Barus & Holley engineering building, while students were sitting for final exams. Two people were killed, and nine others were wounded, most of them believed to be students.
Authorities described the investigation as “complex” and moving “extremely fast.” Despite that, officials have so far offered few details about a possible motive.
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According to multiple senior law enforcement sources, Erickson was detained early Sunday morning at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, roughly 20 miles from Providence. The arrest followed a tip passed to police during the overnight manhunt.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest online, saying it came “based off a lead” from local authorities.
Military records show Erickson served in the Army from May 2021 until November 2024. He worked as an infantryman and left the service with the rank of specialist. Officials say he had no overseas deployments.
Investigators are now looking closely at Erickson’s background. Sources told NBC News they are reviewing what could be an extensive mental health history, along with any possible connection to Brown University.
Public records suggest Erickson lived in Washington, D.C. last year and previously spent time in Wisconsin.
Inside the engineering building, the chaos was sudden and terrifying.
A police official told the Associated Press that more than 40 rounds were fired from a 9mm weapon. While officers recovered two loaded 30-round magazines, the gun itself has not yet been found.
Newly released surveillance footage shows a man believed to be Erickson walking away from campus, dressed in dark clothing, before turning onto a nearby street.
For students trapped inside, time moved slowly.
One student, said he and others turned off the lights, locked the doors, and hid under desks for nearly two hours.
“I was hoping no one was hurt,” he said quietly. “I was hoping no one was dead.”
Outside, the city braced for the worst.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley later announced that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted, though police continued to restrict access around parts of campus as the investigation continued.
“The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,” the mayor said.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
