The shooter, identified as 24 year old Benjamin Erickson, walked into a crowded final exam review in Brown Universityβs Barus and Holley building and opened fire. Two students died and nine others were hurt as stunned students dove for cover.
Police say Erickson is a former U.S. Army infantry soldier who completed sniper training and served as a rifleman from 2021 to 2024. Investigators are treating his military record and recent history as part of the probe.
After the shooting, law enforcement traced a tip to a Hampton Inn in Coventry where Erickson was taken into custody early Sunday. Officers recovered two guns and loaded magazines from the hotel room during a search.
Federal agents said the FBI used geolocation tools to help find the man. Officials described the work as a critical part of the search that led agents to the hotel and the arrest.
Students in the room said the gunman shouted before firing and then aimed at rows of seated students. Witnesses described chaos and fear as people tried to hide and help the wounded. Emergency crews rushed victims to area hospitals.
Brown University canceled the rest of its final exam schedule and closed campus for hours. The university said it would expand counseling and support for students and staff while investigators work and families grieve.
The first victim publicly identified was Ella Cook, a 19 year old sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama. Her church told parishioners about her death during a Sunday service and asked for privacy for the family.
At the service a church leader spoke to the congregation. “It’s a tremendous heaviness that is upon our congregation today,” he said. The line echoed through the room as friends and family tried to hold on to memory and meaning.
Investigators said they are still working to establish a clear motive. They will review his military files, school records, and any available mental health records while they interview witnesses and gather video and other evidence. Officials emphasized the case remains active.
The law enforcement commanders warned the public to rely on verified information and not on social media rumors. They asked anyone with video from inside or near the Barus and Holley building to contact investigators to help build the timeline.
The shooting has reopened familiar debates about campus safety and gun access. Students and families pressed college leaders for clear answers about how someone with a weapon reached a classroom during exam week. Authorities said those questions will be part of their review.
For now families are seek facts. Students need care. Investigators must prove what happened and why. The campus will hold vigils and memorials while the legal and medical work moves forward, and the community waits for more verified details.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
