Providence and the Brown University community remain shaken as authorities continue an intensive investigation into a deadly shooting on campus that left two people dead and multiple others injured. The tragic incident, which unfolded during a busy exam period, has drawn national attention and prompted a large-scale, multiagency law enforcement response.
According to multiple law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation, authorities have taken a person of interest into custody in connection with the shooting. The individual has been identified as Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old man originally from Wisconsin. Officials stress that Erickson is considered a person of interest only, and no formal charges have been filed at this time.
Law enforcement sources said Erickson was detained during an early-morning operation at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 15 miles southwest of Brown University’s campus. The operation followed a coordinated effort between local, state, and federal agencies after investigators traced the individual’s location using cellphone geolocation data.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team played a key role in locating the person of interest. In a public statement, Patel said:
“As a result, early this morning, FBI Boston’s Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Coventry Police Department, detained a person of interest in a hotel room in Coventry, Rhode Island, based on a lead from the Providence Police Department.”
Sources familiar with the operation reported that officers knocked on the hotel room door and ordered the individual to open it. After entering, investigators questioned him regarding his whereabouts during the day and evening of the shooting. He allegedly told officers that he had remained at the hotel during that time.
During a search of the hotel room, authorities reportedly recovered two firearms:
A revolver, and
A small Glock handgun equipped with a laser sight
Multiple federal law enforcement sources stated that investigators believe the individual traveled from Wisconsin to Rhode Island in advance of the attack, though officials have not publicly confirmed a motive or timeline.
At a news conference, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez acknowledged the extensive coordination between agencies but declined to provide further details, citing the active nature of the investigation.
“We have deployed local and national resources to process and reconstruct the shooting scene,” Patel added. “This FBI will continue an all-out, 24/7 effort until justice is fully served.”
Details of the Shooting
Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley Engineering Building at Brown University, specifically in a first-floor classroom. Sources said the classroom belonged to Rachel Friedberg, a Faculty Associate in Brown’s Program in Judaic Studies, who previously taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
University and police officials stated that the attack took place while exams were being held, making the incident especially traumatic for students and faculty present at the time.
At approximately 4:22 p.m. local time, Brown University issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering Lab. Students and staff were instructed to lock doors, silence phones, and shelter in place. A second alert followed later, reporting additional gunfire near Governor Street, roughly two blocks from campus.
