...
By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Providence officials announced Sunday night they will release a person of interest detained following a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine others. Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials made the disclosure at a hastily convened news conference, more than 12 hours after revealing they had detained someone in connection with the attack that occurred Saturday afternoon during final exams.
Multiple news outlets, citing law enforcement sources, identified the person of interest as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson from Wisconsin. He was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence.
Why It Matters
The gunman opened fire during final exams in the Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The shooting left at least two people dead and injured nine others who are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Read More on News
Officials have remained reticent to release information to the public after a mistaken report in the first hour after the shooting claimed that a suspect was in custody, a report the school quickly said was "unfounded." Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told CNN during a TV interview Sunday evening that officials want to be very careful with further information releases.
What To Know
Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody, along with two loaded 30-round magazines. One firearm was equipped with a laser sight.
The attack triggered hours of chaos across campus as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter and students sheltered in place. The lockdown stretched into the night before being lifted early Sunday. Of the nine wounded students, one has been released from the hospital, seven are in critical but stable condition, and one remains in critical condition. Durham Academy in North Carolina confirmed that recent graduate Kendall Turner was critically wounded, with her parents by her side.
Engineering design exams were underway when the shooting began. While outer doors of the building were unlocked, rooms being used for final exams required badge access. Surveillance video released by police showed a suspect dressed in black walking from the scene.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez confirmed Sunday afternoon that no one has been charged yet and declined to say whether the detained person had any connection to Brown University.
What People Are Saying
Brown University in a statement posted Sunday afternoon on the school website: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We strongly encourage all faculty and staff to prioritize their health and well-being," adding, "Please prioritize compassion, open communication and the immediate needs of your team members."
Brown University's Vice President for Human Resources Marie Williams wrote on the school website: "Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, loved ones, and the entire Brown University community during this deeply painful time. We are grateful to all first responders and law enforcement personnel for their immediate response and their ongoing work to ensure the safety of our community. We are especially thankful to our faculty and staff for your dedication, selflessness, and commitment to the well-being of our students, families, and campus community."
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X: "This FBI will continue an all out 24/7 campaign until justice is fully served. Thanks to the men and women of the FBI and our partners for their continued teamwork. Please continue praying for the victims and their families - as well as all those at Brown University."
...
What Happens Next?
Authorities have not yet released information about a potential motive, and critical questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines