Crime
Who is Benjamin Erickson? Brown University Shooting Suspect Served in Army
Providence, R.I. — Law enforcement officials have identified the person of interest detained in connection with the Brown University shooting as Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old Wisconsin native, according to multiple sources briefed on the investigation.
Erickson was taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 15 miles from Brown’s campus, following a coordinated operation involving local, state, and federal authorities.
Publicly available information, including a LinkedIn profile reviewed by investigators, indicates that Erickson previously served as an infantry soldier in the U.S. Army from 2021 to 2024.
His profile states that he completed sniper training, served as a rifleman, and had experience providing firearms instruction.
The profile also notes that he received a Good Conduct Medal and performed security-related duties, including assignments near the president and participation in military funeral ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Army confirmed that Erickson had no overseas deployments and separated from the service last year with the rank of specialist.
According to law enforcement sources, Erickson is not a current student at Brown University. However, sources familiar with the case say he may have been recently enrolled or planning to enroll.
His LinkedIn profile states that he intended to continue his education at Brown University during the fall 2025 semester.
The profile further indicates that Erickson took online coursework in psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee after graduating high school in July 2020, prior to his military service.
Brown University has not publicly commented on Erickson’s academic record or enrollment history.
The LinkedIn profile lists a range of personal interests, including animal welfare, veteran support, and assistance to underserved populations. It also notes that Erickson previously interned as a carpenter and volunteered at a horse rescue center.
A staff member at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland confirmed that Erickson was part of an Army unit that trained there between 2023 and 2024.
According to the staff member, he was associated with the Caisson Detachment of the U.S. Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, a unit responsible for providing horse-drawn escorts during military and state funerals.
Additional records show that Erickson participated in high school wrestling, as reflected in a yearbook photograph, and maintained a social media presence during his teenage years where he posted about wrestling, music, and political satire.
A review of court records revealed no significant criminal history, aside from a 2023 citation for driving on a sidewalk, which was later dismissed.
Two people familiar with the investigation told that Erickson was identified as the person of interest and detained early Saturday morning. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the FBI’s Cellular Analysis Survey Team used cellphone data to help locate Erickson at the Coventry hotel.
According to federal law enforcement sources, investigators recovered a revolver and a small Glock handgun equipped with a laser sight from Erickson’s hotel room. Authorities believe he traveled from Wisconsin to Rhode Island ahead of the attack.
Sources say officers ordered Erickson to open his hotel room door and questioned him about his whereabouts at the time of the shooting. He allegedly told investigators that he remained at the hotel during the relevant period.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez acknowledged the multi-agency effort at a news conference but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley Engineering Building at Brown University, specifically in a first-floor classroom. The classroom is associated with Rachel Friedberg, a Faculty Associate in Brown’s Program in Judaic Studies, who previously taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The building was hosting scheduled exams at the time of the incident.
At approximately 4:22 p.m., the university issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering Lab, instructing students and staff to lock doors, silence phones, and shelter in place. A later alert reported additional gunfire near Governor Street, roughly two blocks from campus.
Authorities have confirmed:
- Two fatalities
- Eight additional victims hospitalized in critical but stable condition
- One additional victim injured by bullet fragments, expected to make a full recovery
All victims are believed to be students, according to police.
Before Erickson’s detention, the suspect was described as a male dressed in black, possibly wearing a camouflaged mask. Investigators say no weapon was recovered at the scene, but they believe a firearm was used.
Police state that the suspect fled the building on foot, exiting toward Hope Street, and that there was no direct confrontation with officers at the scene. Authorities also report they do not have interior surveillance footage from the building and are still determining how the suspect entered and where he went immediately afterward.
Officials emphasize that Benjamin Erickson has been detained as a person of interest, and no formal charges have been announced. The investigation remains active, with Brown University, Providence Police, the FBI, and federal partners continuing to reconstruct the events and determine motive.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that agencies remain in close coordination and urged the public to avoid speculation as authorities continue their work.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.