Crime
FBI released Benjamin Erickson from custody
UPDATE: Providence, Rhode Island Mayor Brett Smiley says law enforcement will release the person of interest in Brown University mass shooting, who was detained earlier Sunday morning. The gunman remains at large.
Benjamin Warren Erickson, the individual previously detained as a person of interest in the deadly shooting at Brown University, has been released by law enforcement, according to city and state officials.
Authorities emphasized that Erickson is not involved in the attack and that the investigation has shifted in a different direction.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the release, while Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha explained that investigators initially followed leads that appeared to point to Erickson but later determined those leads were incorrect.
“Sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another,” Neronha said. He added that the evidence now points elsewhere, and acknowledged the harm caused by the premature public identification of Erickson.
“It was really unfortunate that this person’s name was leaked to the public. It’s hard to put that back into the bottle,” the attorney general said.
Officials reiterated that the gunman remains at large, and no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Lake Worth after a police pursuit ended behind a Walmart store.
According to initial reports, officers were pursuing a red pickup truck when the chase concluded in the rear area of the Walmart property.
Law enforcement radio traffic indicated that shots were fired at the scene, and emergency medical services were immediately requested for one suspect who was reported down.
CPR was administered at the location. The driver of the red truck was later pronounced deceased.
Witnesses stated that the pursuit began near the Azle area, with multiple police units following the red truck from the bridge along Azle Avenue.
The vehicle was observed traveling past a Dairy Queen before leaving the roadway and continuing behind the Walmart. Moments later, witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots.
Unconfirmed statements from individuals at the scene indicated that the driver of the red truck may have fired at officers prior to police returning fire. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed these details.
Police have secured the area as investigators work to determine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
No information has been released regarding injuries to officers, and officials have not yet provided the identity of the suspect.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected to be released by law enforcement once confirmed.