Update (1715ET):
Both The Washington Post and NBC News cite sources briefed on the investigation who name “Benjamin Erickson” from Wisconsin as a “person of interest” in the Brown University shooting late Saturday night.
It is important to note the distinction between a person of interest and a suspect:
-
A person of interest is someone police are still evaluating.
-
A suspect is someone the police believe likely committed the crime.
NBC News reporter Tom Winter reported earlier that police seized a firearm from Erickson that had a “unique characteristic.”
What is key here is that Erickson is a person of interest and not a shooting suspect. That is an important distinction to understand.
* * *
Update (1520ET):
It has been nearly 24 hours since a gunman stormed a Brown University classroom taught by Jewish professor Rachel Friedberg, who teaches the intersection of economics and Jewish studies, and reportedly “yelled something unique” before using a handgun and unleashing a hail of bullets in the classroom.
The shooting at Brown happened in Rachel Friedberg’s classroom
She’s a Teaching Professor of Economics and a Faculty Associate in the Program in Judaic Studies
She was a professor in Israel for four years
I wonder what the motive was? pic.twitter.com/wPyacjmu7I
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) December 14, 2025
A person of interest was apprehended earlier today, but authorities have not released his name or a front-facing photograph. Given that Brown is one of the most heavily surveilled campuses in the nation, with more than 800 cameras, the absence of released footage raises questions, especially since the person of interest reportedly “yelled something unique” before killing two people and injuring nine others in a Jewish econ-studies classroom.
New details from CNN, citing multiple law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation, say the person of interest apprehended earlier today traveled from Wisconsin.
Dailymail is reporting the Brown University shooter drove from the Madison Wisconsin area to Providence Rhode Island. pic.twitter.com/gLxFtO5egb
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) December 14, 2025
AP reporter took this pic inside the Hampton Inn in Coventry. Shooter stayed on the 1st floor. This is about 20 miles away from Brown University.
I called the front desk. Lady read me some script about how she can’t release any info. pic.twitter.com/chE5SJr74H
— JLR© (@JLRINVESTIGATES) December 14, 2025
Here are more details from the media outlet:
A revolver and a small Glock handgun with a laser sight attached were found in the hotel room of the person detained in connection to the Brown University shooting, according to multiple federal law enforcement sources. The person detained is a male, law enforcement sources say. Authorities traced the person of interest to the hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island. According to the sources, law enforcement banged on the door ordering him to open up. Once inside, they asked where the person had been that day and evening. He responded he was there in the hotel the whole time.
* * *
A person of interest connected to the Brown University shooting was taken into custody early Sunday morning at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, according to law enforcement officials.
Latest:
-
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez told reporters he was limited in what he could disclose about the person taken into custody. He said police intend “to coordinate with the prosecutors, to collect evidence, to conduct interviews, and then from there, we’ll be able – when it’s appropriate and accurate – to share more details.”
-
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley provided an update, noting that seven shooting victims are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged from the hospital. Two individuals died in the shooting. All victims were students.
-
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that the shooting unfolded inside a final exam review for a Principles of Economics class.
-
The shooter then exited the east side of the Barus and Holley building, where the campus meets downtown Providence.
The shooter “yelled something” before the attack …
BREAKING – Police now have a suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University but are refusing to provide the suspect’s age, race, or motive, only stating that the shooter “yelled something” before the attack and that the weapon used has a “unique characteristic” on it. pic.twitter.com/971tJeYDUU
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) December 14, 2025
The elite Ivy League school ended the shelter-in-place order around 6:00 a.m. ET.
BrownUAlert: Providence police have advised the University that the shelter in place order has ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene. Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues…
— Brown University (@BrownUniversity) December 14, 2025
X users cited a 2021 study indicating that Brown University operates roughly 800 surveillance cameras across its campus.
Yet, more than six hours after the shooting, the university was still unable to release any images showing what the person of interest looked like while at large.
Brown University tuition is $70,000.
Its endowment is $8 billion and just hit a new record.
AND THEY DON’T HAVE A SINGLE SECURITY CAMERA THAT GOT A CLEAR VIEW OF THE SHOOTER IN THE BUILDING!!!
You can afford it! BUY SOME. pic.twitter.com/vji9lXkiHL
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 14, 2025
Then, finally, released this…
Video released by the Providence police shows the suspect in the Brown University shooting as he leaves the scene.
The shooting left two people dead and nine others wounded.
See the latest updates: https://t.co/8dntt9p7bR pic.twitter.com/1PNVhUYaeP
— Providence Journal (@projo) December 14, 2025
Note that Brown’s policy generally prohibits students, faculty, staff, and visitors from bringing guns, ammunition, or other weapons onto campus, into buildings, or into residence halls. This applies regardless of whether someone has a permit to carry a firearm elsewhere in Rhode Island.
Brown University has a relatively high representation of Jewish students compared with its overall student population. The incident occurred on the night before Hanukkah, a period of heightened religious significance. Separately, Australia experienced its deadliest terrorist attack since 1996, when two shooters targeted a Jewish celebration.
*Developing…
Loading recommendations…
