‘Person of curiosity’ detained in Brown University taking pictures is called as 24-year-old
A man has been detained in connection with the shooting on Saturday in which two people were killed and nine critically injured, although he has not been named as a suspect or charged
A “person of interest” has been detained in connection with the Brown University shooting in which two people were killed and nine critically injured. The man has reportedly been identified by law enforcement as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson from Wisconsin.
Erickson has not been named as a suspect or charged in connection with Saturday’s attack, reports the Washington Post. Officials have referred to the person in custody only as a “person of interest” – a term investigators use to refer to someone they want to question who they believe has relevant information.
The report said law enforcement officers recovered two firearms in his possession, including one equipped with a laser sight attachment.
Rhode Island police announced early on Sunday that they have a person of interest in custody. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said in a press conference that authorities are not currently seeking any other suspects. He did not disclose where the arrest took place or whether the person has any connections to the university.
According to CNN, Erickson was arrested at a motel in Providence, Rhode Island, roughly 15 miles from the university, although that was not confirmed by police.
All remaining undergraduate and graduate exams, papers and projects for the rest of the fall 2025 semester have been cancelled at the college.
The Ivy League university in Providence – one of the oldest and most prestigious in the US – was plunged into lockdown on Saturday as terrified students were told to take shelter.
Footage released by police late on Saturday night shows the alleged shooter moments after leaving the area where the shots rang out.
In the clip, the suspect is seen calmly turning a corner and walking onto Hope Street, dressed head-to-toe in dark clothing.
Officials from Rhode Island Hospital said most of the injured are in a “critical but stable” condition. The identities of those killed or injured have not yet been released by officials.
Brown University President Christina Paxson said: “This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. It is deeply devastating for all of us.”
The rampage unfolded at 4pm local time on Saturday afternoon in a large classroom on the first floor of the Barus and Holley building, part of Brown University’s engineering school, where exams were taking place.
Economics professor Rachel Friedberg said told local media the shooting took place during a review session for her course, which was led by her teaching assistant.
She said: “He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something – he couldn’t remember what he yelled – and started shooting. Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot.”
More than 400 armed law enforcement officers – including cops, FBI and other agencies – were scrambled to the scene and cleared the building.
US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters as he returned to the White House from attending the annual Army and Navy football game, described the shooting as “a terrible thing”.
He said: “All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt.”
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