• Benjamin Erickson, 24, has been detained as a person of interest in the Brown University shooting.
• The shooting left two students dead and nine others injured during final exam reviews.
• Authorities are investigating Erickson's military background and possible ties to the university.
• Investigation into his mental health is ongoing as police gather evidence.
• A candlelight vigil was held in memory of the victims as the community mourns.

Benjamin Erickson, a 24-year-old, has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting incident that occurred at Brown University, which left two students dead and nine others injured. The shooting took place during a final exam study session at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building on the university's Providence campus. Authorities stated that weapons and more than 40 shell casings were found at the scene, indicating a significant number of shots fired, according to thejakartapost and aa.

Erickson was apprehended at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, following an extensive manhunt that lasted for over eleven hours. Although he is considered a person of interest and police have expressed confidence in connecting him to the shooting, formal charges had not been filed as of yet. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed ongoing investigations into Erickson's potential connections to Brown University and his mental health history, according to indiatimes and aa.

Initial reports indicate that Erickson served in the US Army as an infantryman from May 2021 to November 2024 but did not have a documented criminal history. His military background is being scrutinized, with officials looking into any possible relevance to the shooting. The FBI utilized geolocation techniques to track Erickson to his hotel, highlighting the multi-agency effort involved in this investigation, as reported by thejakartapost.

In the aftermath of the shooting, there is a palpable sense of mourning within the Brown University community. The university’s president, Christina Paxson, expressed deep sympathies, stating, “This is the day one hopes never happens, and it has.” A candlelight vigil was organized to honor the victims, bringing together hundreds of community members to share their grief, reflecting the profound impact this tragic event has had on the local and university community, according to indiatimes and aa.

As the investigation progresses, authorities have lifted the shelter-in-place order on campus, but have maintained a heightened police presence in the area. The nature of gun violence in educational institutions continues to provoke widespread concern and dialogue among students and faculty, with many advocating for stronger preventative measures in light of this devastating occurrence, as noted by thejakartapost and aa.