It’s the nightmare scenario no student, parent, or faculty member ever wants to imagine.
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the quiet focus of finals week at Brown University was shattered by gunfire. What started as a typical afternoon of study sessions turned into a tragedy that has left the Providence community—and the nation—reeling.
If you’ve been frantically refreshing your feed asking, “What happened at Brown today?” or “Who is the suspect?”, you aren’t alone.
Authorities have moved quickly. Here is everything we know right now about the suspect, Benjamin Erickson, the victims, and the investigation that led police to a hotel room in Coventry, RI.
The Breaking News: What We Know So Far
The Incident: A shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley engineering building at approximately 4:05 PM EST on Saturday.
The Context: It happened during a review session for an introductory economics class taught by Professor Rachel Friedberg.
The Toll: Two people have tragically lost their lives, and nine others were injured.
The Suspect: 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson is in custody.
Key Takeaway: The “person of interest” is widely reported to be Benjamin Erickson, a former U.S. Army infantryman. He was detained early Sunday at a hotel in Coventry, RI.
Who Is Benjamin Erickson?
As the dust settles, all eyes are on the man police believe is responsible.
Benjamin Erickson is a 24-year-old native of Wisconsin who had recently been living in Washington, D.C. Unlike many campus shooters who are often current students, Erickson’s connection to the university is still being investigated.
Here is the profile emerging from law enforcement sources:
Military Background: Erickson served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman from May 2021 to November 2024. He held the rank of Specialist and had no overseas deployments.
The Arrest: Following a massive manhunt, technology led the FBI and local police to a Hampton Inn in Coventry, RI, about 20 miles from the campus.
Weapons Recovered: When police entered his room, they reportedly found two handguns—a 9mm and another equipped with a laser sight.
While motives are still unclear, the swift identification of Erickson as the primary “person of interest” has brought a sliver of relief to a campus on lockdown.
Inside the Chaos: The “Barus and Holley” Incident
Saturday was meant to be about final exams.
Students were gathered in the Barus and Holley building, a hub for engineering and physics, for a review session. The class involved was reportedly ECON 0110, a large introductory course led by Rachel Friedberg.
Witnesses described a scene of absolute confusion. One moment, students were reviewing economic principles; the next, they were scrambling for cover as shots rang out.
Zoe Weissman, a student survivor who has reportedly lived through the aftermath of school violence before (having attended school near the Parkland tragedy), is just one of many students now grappling with this trauma.
The Investigation: From Providence to Coventry
How did they catch him?
The investigation, led by the Providence Police Department with assistance from the FBI, moved at lightning speed.
Surveillance: Police released images of a suspect dressed in all black fleeing the building on foot shortly after 4:00 PM.
The Manhunt: For hours, the campus remained on shelter-in-place orders. Alerts like “Brown U active shooter” lit up phones across Rhode Island.
The Breakthrough: Using cellular data analysis, the FBI tracked Erickson’s movements south to Coventry.
The Takedown: A tactical team descended on the hotel in Coventry, detaining Erickson without further violence.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Brown President Christina Paxson have both praised the coordination of law enforcement, but the focus now shifts to why this happened.
Comparison: What We Know vs. What Is Rumored
In the age of social media, misinformation spreads faster than facts. Let’s clear up the confusion.
| Confirmed Fact | Social Media Rumor / Unconfirmed |
| Suspect: Benjamin Erickson, 24. | Speculation about a second shooter (Police confirmed one suspect). |
| Location: Barus & Holley Building. | Rumors of shootings at dorms (False alerts were retracted). |
| Status: Detained in Coventry, RI. | Rumors that he was a current PhD student (No current enrollment confirmed yet). |
| Weapon: Handguns recovered. | Rumors of long guns/AR-15s (Not supported by current reports). |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Brown University campus safe now?
Yes. With Benjamin Erickson in custody, police have stated they are not looking for other suspects. However, the campus remains shaken, and security presence has been heavily increased.
2. Was Benjamin Erickson a student at Brown?
Current reports indicate he was not a currently enrolled student, though investigators are looking into any past applications or connections he might have had to the university or individuals inside that classroom.
3. Who is Rachel Friedberg?
Rachel Friedberg is a Teaching Professor of Economics at Brown. The shooting occurred during a review session for her class, though it is not yet confirmed if she was the specific target or even present in the room at the exact moment of the attack.
4. What is the condition of the victims?
As of the latest update, two victims have died. Nine others were injured and transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Several remain in critical but stable condition.
Conclusion: A Community in Mourning
As the yellow tape comes down and the news vans leave Providence, the real work of healing begins.
For the students of Brown University, “finals week” will never mean the same thing again. The arrest of Benjamin Erickson provides answers, but it doesn’t undo the loss of life or the shattering of safety on an Ivy League campus.
We will continue to update this story as more details regarding the motive and charges emerge.
Stay safe, and hold your loved ones close.
