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.
On January 28, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers assigned to the Northern District responded to a reported shooting at the Northrop Grumman facility located in the 7300 block of Aviation Boulevard in Linthicum, Maryland.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the scene had already been secured by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MDTA), who had the suspected shooter in custody.
Preliminary findings indicate the incident stemmed from a dispute between two contracted security guards working inside the facility.
During the altercation, one of the guards discharged a firearm, striking the other.
The victim was identified as 37-year-old Joseph Keith Aman of Baltimore, Maryland. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities stated that a third contracted security guard intervened during the incident, successfully disarming the suspect and detaining him until law enforcement arrived.
Investigators confirmed the shooting was an isolated incident and did not involve any Northrop Grumman employees.
There was no ongoing threat to the public or the facility following the incident.
Anne Arundel County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation.
Detectives conducted multiple witness interviews, while Evidence Collection Unit technicians processed the scene and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Dylan Blake Chandler of Pasadena, Maryland.
He has been formally charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and additional related offenses.
Northrop Grumman issued a statement acknowledging the incident, saying:
“We are aware of an isolated incident involving two contractors at one of our Baltimore-area facilities. We are cooperating fully with local law enforcement as they investigate the matter. The safety of our employees and contractors across all facilities remains our top priority.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Although an arrest has been made, detectives are continuing to gather information.
Anyone with knowledge related to the incident is urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may contact the county’s tip line at 410-222-4700.
Further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.