A gunman opened fire inside Brown University’s Barus & Holley engineering and physics building Saturday afternoon as students were gathered to take final exams, killing two students and injuring nine others.
Providence officials said Sunday that police had detained a man in his 20s as a person of interest. A source familiar with the investigation, not authorized to speak publicly, identified the person of interest as Benjamin Erickson. Authorities have not released other details about him or a possible motive.
The attack, which occurred around 4 p.m. ET in an economics class, shocked the Ivy League community just days before winter break. Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley said the violence felt especially jarring for the city. President Trump offered condolences to victims and families, saying, “To the nine injured, get well fast, and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects.”
Brown University President Christina Paxson said seven victims were in “critical but stable” condition, one was in critical condition, and a ninth was treated and released. She announced the university would cancel almost all remaining in-person exams for the fall semester to focus on care and support for the community.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said investigators are continuing their work but were not actively looking for anyone else. Law enforcement detained the person of interest Sunday morning in a hotel room in Coventry, about 20 miles southwest of Brown, based on a lead from Providence police, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.
Investigators earlier described a suspect as “a male dressed in black” who fled on foot; it was unclear how he gained entry to the building. Brown Provost Francis Doyle noted that cards are required to access the building but said there was likely heavy traffic during exams. Authorities released a short video of a person of interest walking away from the scene, though the footage did not show the person’s face.
Officials lifted a shelter-in-place order for the Brown campus and surrounding areas Sunday morning. University leaders and city officials emphasized the community’s need for support as investigations continue and the campus begins recovery efforts.
