Former Army Specialist Detained With Firearms Following Fatal Brown University Attack

2025-12-15 general

Providence, Monday, 15 December 2025.
Investigators apprehended 24-year-old veteran Benjamin Erickson, recovering a laser-sighted handgun from his hotel room following the Saturday tragedy that left two students dead and nine injured.

Surveillance Breakthrough Ends Manhunt

Following the chaotic events detailed in our previous coverage of the manhunt at Brown University, law enforcement operations have shifted from an active search to a complex forensic investigation. Authorities have detained 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson as the primary person of interest in the shooting that claimed two lives and injured nine others on December 13, 2025 [1][2]. The breakthrough in the case occurred in the early hours of December 14, when Erickson was taken into custody at the Hampton Inn Coventry Warwick in Coventry, Rhode Island, located approximately 24 kilometers from the university campus [2][3].

Military Background and Geographic Profile

A detailed profile of the suspect has begun to emerge, painting a picture of an individual with specialized training and multi-state connections. According to Army spokesperson LTC Ruth Castro, Erickson served as an Infantryman (11B) in the Regular Army from May 2021 to November 2024, leaving the service with the rank of specialist and no deployment history [1]. This military background is now a focal point for investigators as they probe his history for potential red flags.

Campus Shutdown and Victim Recovery

The aftermath of the violence has paralyzed the academic schedule at Brown University. Administration officials have canceled all remaining classes, exams, and projects for the fall 2025 semester, allowing students to leave campus immediately while retaining access to essential services [2]. The university’s Provost, Francis J. Doyle, confirmed that faculty have been instructed to refrain from entering final grades until early January to accommodate the disruption [2].

Sources

Public Safety Higher Education