The investigation into the deadly shooting at Brown University entered a complicated and closely scrutinized phase after law enforcement officials detained and then released a 24-year-old man initially considered a person of interest. The incident, which left two people dead and nine others injured, triggered a rapid multi-agency response and intense public attention. Authorities emphasized that early investigative steps can shift quickly as evidence is evaluated, corroborated, and redirected.
Within roughly 24 hours, officials acknowledged that information leading to the detention of the individual no longer supported continued custody, underscoring both the fluid nature of major criminal investigations and the high evidentiary threshold required to move forward in a case of this magnitude. Benjamin Erickson, a Wisconsin native with a background in the US Army and plans to enroll at Brown University in the fall 2025 semester, was identified by law enforcement sources as the individual detained.
Although officials did not publicly name him at the time, subsequent reporting linked Erickson to the investigation through multiple official and personal records. By late Sunday, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that the man had been released, stating that evidence had begun to point in a different direction. The announcement marked a significant turn in the case while leaving unanswered questions about who carried out the attack and how investigators would proceed.
Detention and Release Following Rapidly Shifting Evidence
Authorities said Erickson was detained as a person of interest based on what Neronha described as a “quantum of evidence” that initially justified holding him for questioning. Investigators stressed that such detentions do not equate to charges or guilt but serve as a lawful means to clarify facts during the early stages of an inquiry. According to the attorney general, that initial body of evidence required corroboration and confirmation, a standard process designed to ensure investigative accuracy before advancing to arrests or formal accusations.
As investigators continued to examine leads, officials determined that the evidence underpinning Erickson’s detention no longer supported that course of action. “This is what these investigations look like,” Neronha said at a news conference, explaining that law enforcement must sometimes regroup when facts evolve. He emphasized that releasing the detained individual was the appropriate step once the evidence shifted, reflecting an obligation to follow facts rather than assumptions.
Law enforcement sources had earlier identified Erickson as a person of interest, though officials refrained from naming him publicly at the time. Authorities also stated that the individual was not a current Brown University student, even as sources suggested he may have been recently enrolled or preparing to enroll. The distinction was significant, given the campus setting of the shooting and concerns about student safety. Brown University did not immediately respond to questions regarding Erickson’s academic status or records.
center>BREAKING – The Rhode Island Attorney General is now apologizing for the false detention of Benjamin Erickson, stating it was “unfortunate” that his name was allowed to be leaked to the public.
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) December 15, 2025
It’s “unfortunate” any of these people have jobs. pic.twitter.com/tcLUVhdl80
The decision to release Benjamin Erickson did not conclude the investigation. Officials indicated that other leads were being pursued and that the inquiry remained active. The shift reinforced a key message from authorities: detentions based on preliminary evidence are subject to change, particularly in complex cases involving numerous witnesses, digital records, and forensic analysis. In this instance, the recalibration occurred within a day, highlighting both the speed and the caution with which investigators were working.
Military Background and Academic Aspirations
Benjamin Erickson’s background drew attention because of his military service and stated plans to continue his education at Brown University. According to his LinkedIn profile, Benjamin Erickson served as an infantry soldier in the US Army between 2021 and 2024. The profile noted that he had passed sniper training, worked as a rifleman, and had experience providing firearms instruction. He was also described as having participated in security duties near the president and assisted with funeral ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
A spokesperson for the US Army later clarified that Erickson had no overseas deployments and left the service last year with the rank of specialist. He received a good conduct medal, according to his profile, and was associated with the Caisson Detachment of the Army’s 3d US Infantry Regiment, a unit known for providing ceremonial escorts for military and state funerals. A staff member at the Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland confirmed that Erickson was part of an Army unit that trained in horse handling techniques at the rescue center between 2023 and 2024.
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Beyond his military service, Erickson’s profile outlined academic pursuits and personal interests. After graduating from high school in July 2020, he took online classes focused on psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The profile indicated that he planned to transfer to Brown University for the fall 2025 semester following the end of his military service. It also listed interests including animal welfare, veteran support, and helping the poor, along with internships as a carpenter and volunteer work at a horse rescue center.
These details, drawn largely from publicly available profiles and corroborated by third-party accounts, contributed to the scrutiny surrounding Erickson’s brief detention. Officials were careful to note that background information alone does not establish involvement in criminal activity. Nonetheless, the convergence of military training, firearms experience, and proximity to the university became a focal point of public discussion before authorities announced his release.
Personal Accounts, Community Reaction, and Ongoing Investigation
As news of Erickson’s detention spread, individuals who knew him offered accounts that portrayed him as reserved, disciplined, and academically inclined. Bryce Jankowski, a former high school classmate, said he had recently exchanged text messages with Erickson, who mentioned that he was studying at Brown and living temporarily in a hotel due to an apartment flood. Jankowski described him as “well-behaved” and “wicked smart,” adding that he did not recall Erickson expressing extremist views or engaging in troubling behavior.
Another former wrestling teammate from high school described Benjamin Erickson as quiet but friendly, becoming more outgoing once he was comfortable with people. A high school yearbook photograph showed Erickson as a member of his school’s wrestling team, reinforcing the image of a student-athlete with a structured background. Social media activity attributed to Erickson from 2016 and 2017 included posts about wrestling, music, and political satire, with nothing indicating violent tendencies.
On Sunday afternoon, FBI agents were observed at a Wisconsin home owned by Erickson’s family, signaling the breadth of the investigation and the effort to verify information connected to the case. A search of court databases revealed no significant criminal history for Erickson, aside from a minor 2023 citation for driving on a sidewalk, which was later dismissed. These findings further contextualized the decision by authorities to release him once evidence shifted.
Meanwhile, the broader investigation into the Brown University shooting continued. The attack, which occurred on campus and resulted in multiple casualties, prompted heightened security measures and concern among students, faculty, and the surrounding community. Passersby were seen walking past crime scene tape at campus entrances as law enforcement worked to secure the area and collect evidence. Officials have not publicly identified a suspect following Erickson’s release, nor have they detailed the alternative directions the investigation has taken.
Attorney General Neronha’s remarks emphasized procedural integrity, noting that detentions must be supported by evidence that can withstand scrutiny. The release, he said, reflected adherence to that principle rather than a setback. For the university community and the families affected by the shooting, the development underscored both the urgency of finding those responsible and the complexity inherent in achieving that goal.
As investigators continue to pursue leads, authorities have urged patience and cautioned against speculation. The case illustrates how rapidly evolving evidence can alter investigative paths, even in the most serious crimes. While Erickson’s brief identification as a person of interest drew national attention, his release marked a decisive acknowledgment that the facts, as currently understood, do not support his continued detention. The focus now remains on identifying the individuals responsible for the attack and establishing a clear, evidence-based account of what occurred at Brown University.
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