Benjamin Erickson, Wisconsin native id as person of interest and presumed Brown University shooting suspect who shot and killed 2 and injured 9. Drove 17 hours to Ivy League school. Has military ties.
A 24 year old Wisconsin man who drove more than 17 hours to commit a mass shooting at Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island over the weekend has been identified as the gunman who killed 2 students and injured another nine inside a classroom.
Benjamin Erickson, of Cedarsburg, Milwaukee, Wisconsin the alleged shooter is reported to have ties to the military.
Police have not publicly named Erickson as a suspect or charged him in connection to the deadly attack. Nevertheless the 24-year-old was expected to be formally charged in the hours ahead.
Wisconsin person of interest released from custody, Brown University shooter remains at large
The suspect is said to have made a 17-hour trek from Wisconsin to Rhode Island with a laser-equipped firearm, according to law enforcement cited by CNN.
He was taken into custody just on 3:45 a.m, Sunday morning by FBI agents at the Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry. Sources told CNN, that the ‘person of interest’ was found with a revolver and a small Glock handgun in his room at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team used cellphone data to help locate Erickson at the Coventry hotel, NBC News reported.
The connection between Erickson and Brown University remains unclear. Authorities are looking into his mental health history.
A regard of the alleged shooter’s Linkedin account revealed Erickson to be a United States Army infantryman from May 2021 to November 2024.
Benjamin ‘Ben’ Erickson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin native
Erickson, a 24-year-old Wisconsin native, served as an infantry soldier in the US Army, where he passed sniper training, had experience with firearms instruction and had served as a rifleman between 2021 and 2024, according to the profile.
His profile stated he was a decorated soldier who had served in a position at Arlington National Cemetery.
Erickson also received a good conduct medal, participated in ‘security duties’ near the president and assisted with funeral ceremonies at Arlington, the profile stated.
The LinkedIn page stated he planned to continue his college education at Brown University in the fall 2025 semester following the completion of his military service.
A spokesperson for the US Army confirmed Erickson serving between 2021 and 2024 but never being deployed, before leaving last year with the rank of specialist. Brown University did not immediately respond to questions about Erickson’s connection to the university.
What was the link between Milwaukee, Wisconsin ex military man and that of Brown University?
A staff member at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland confirmed that Erickson was part of an Army unit that trained there between 2023 and 2024.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Erickson started online classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before joining the Army.
The LinkedIn profile lists a range of personal interests, including animal welfare, veteran support, and assistance to underserved populations. It also notes that Erickson previously interned as a carpenter and volunteered at a horse rescue center.
According to reports, a key moment in the manhunt came after one or more witnesses described a distinctive characteristic of a gun used in the attack. A gun fitting that description was recovered at the hotel along with an additional firearm.
The shooting happened just after 4 p.m. Saturday at the Barus and Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and the Physics Department.
As of Sunday morning, seven people were in stable condition, one in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said.
Brown University President Christina Paxson said all of the shooting victims are students. Investigators said not all families have been notified, so names have not been released.
