Brown University Shooting Suspect Identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson

Providence, R.I. — December 14, 2025

Law enforcement sources have identified Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old man originally from Wisconsin, as the person of interest detained in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured.

17GEN4.com

Erickson, a former U.S. Army infantryman who served from 2021 to 2024, was taken into custody early Sunday morning at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 20 miles from the campus. Authorities recovered a revolver and a Glock handgun equipped with a laser sight from the hotel room, according to federal law enforcement sources.

The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon in the Barus and Holley building, home to Brown's School of Engineering and Physics Department, during the university's final exams period.

The Barus and Holley building at Brown University, site of the deadly shooting

A gunman opened fire around 4 p.m., killing two students and wounding nine others—all confirmed by university officials to be Brown students. Seven of the injured remain in stable condition, one in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged.

Investigators believe Erickson drove more than 1,150 miles—from Wisconsin to Rhode Island—prior to the attack. Sources indicate authorities are examining a possible extensive mental health history and any potential connection Erickson may have had to the university. No charges have been filed as of Sunday afternoon, and police have not officially named him a suspect.

Brown University President Christina Paxson called it "a deeply tragic day," announcing the cancellation of all remaining classes, exams, and projects for the fall semester. A community vigil is planned for Sunday evening in Providence.The incident marks another tragic chapter in U.S. campus violence, with the Gun Violence Archive tracking 43 college shootings resulting in casualties in 2025 alone. The investigation remains ongoing, with FBI and local authorities urging the public to submit any relevant images or video.

Description of the Suspect in the Brown University Shooting

Benjamin Erickson, the 24-year-old person of interest detained in connection with the deadly shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025, is described as a white male originally from Wisconsin (with some reports specifying West Bend).Publicly circulated photos, primarily from alleged social media profiles and military-related sources, show him as having blond hair. He appears to be of average build in these images, though no official details on height or weight have been released by authorities.

Initial police descriptions of the shooter on the day of the incident referred to a male wearing all black clothing, but no further physical details (such as height, weight, or distinctive features) have been confirmed publicly as of December 14, 2025. Authorities have not released an official mugshot or booking photo.Erickson is a former U.S. Army infantryman (rank of specialist upon discharge in 2024), and some unverified social media claims have linked him to cyber warfare roles, though this has not been officially corroborated. The investigation into his background, including any potential mental health history, remains ongoing.