Police have identified 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson as the suspect taken into custody in connection with the shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine others injured on Saturday, according to three senior law enforcement officials who briefed NBC News.
Public records show that Erickson currently lives in Washington, DC, where he registered to vote in 2023 with a statehood party affiliation. Earlier records indicate he was registered to vote in Wisconsin in 2020, listing “military” under voter information.
Details of Erickson’s military background were confirmed by Army spokesperson Lt Col Ruth Castro, who said, “Benjamin W Erickson served as an infantryman in the Regular Army from May 2021 to November 2024. He had no deployments and left the Army with the rank of specialist.”
Preliminary checks have found no prior criminal record linked to Erickson. However, investigators are examining what they believe may be a significant mental health history. Authorities are also looking into any possible links between Erickson and Brown University as part of the ongoing investigation.
