PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A 24-year-old Army veteran was taken into custody early Sunday at a Rhode Island hotel following a mass shooting incident at Brown University that left two students dead and at least eight others injured. Authorities identified the suspect as Benjamin Erickson, originally from Wisconsin, and confirmed ties between him and the tragic events that unfolded on campus.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation began searching a residence in Cedarburg, a suburb of Milwaukee, believed to be connected to Erickson. This investigation comes after a series of witness accounts led law enforcement to recover a firearm matching descriptions provided by witnesses. The gun was discovered at the hotel where Erickson was arrested, alongside a second weapon.
The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Saturday at the Barus and Holley building, which houses engineering and physics departments at the university. By Sunday morning, officials reported that seven individuals were stable while one remained in critical condition. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that one victim had already been discharged from the hospital.
Erickson’s military service record shows that he left the Army as a specialist, without any deployments. Despite claiming on his LinkedIn profile to have transferred to Brown University for the upcoming fall semester, sources have indicated that he was not a registered student. Investigators have yet to clarify his connection to the university.
Following a tip-off, the suspect was apprehended at approximately 3:45 a.m. at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island. Eyewitnesses reported a large law enforcement presence at the hotel, and officials cordoned off parts of the building as they processed the crime scene for evidence. Cooperation from hotel staff included providing security footage to aid the investigation.
At a press conference on Sunday, law enforcement officials emphasized that they were not seeking additional suspects, highlighting the effectiveness of the coordinated response by various agencies. Mayor Smiley expressed gratitude to the law enforcement personnel involved in the apprehension.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all shooting victims were students and acknowledged the profound impact of the tragedy on the university community. As a precaution, the university announced that all remaining classes and examinations for the fall semester have been canceled.
The situation has raised concerns throughout the campus, which includes approximately 10,300 students. To provide support, the university set up a reunification center and advised community members to adhere to law enforcement instructions.
In a statement, a representative from Durham Academy confirmed that one of its recent graduates, Kendall Turner, was among the critically injured. The school community is rallying around her and her family during this challenging time.
As the investigation continues, the university and local officials are focused on healing the community and addressing the fears that have emerged following this shocking incident.