Why Law Enforcement Released Benjamin Erickson After Initially Detaining the Former Army Veteran as a Person of Interest
The investigation into the deadly mass shooting at Brown University took a stunning turn on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when authorities announced the release of the person of interest who had been detained just hours earlier. The man, identified by multiple media sources as 24 year old Wisconsin native Benjamin Erickson, was cleared of involvement after evidence pointed investigators in a "different direction," according to the Rhode Island Attorney General. This reversal means the gunman responsible for the tragedy remains at large, with the Ivy League campus still reeling.
The immediate details of the reversal occurred at a late night press conference, confirming that Benjamin Erickson an Army veteran who had been tracked down by the FBI using cellular geolocation data and taken into custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island was no longer considered a person of interest. Law enforcement had initially detained Erickson after finding weapons, including a handgun with a laser sight, and ammunition in his hotel room. However, after further investigation, Attorney General Peter Neronha stated that there was "no basis" to continue holding him, confirming that the person responsible for the horrific attack remains unidentified and at large.
The strategic dilemma now facing law enforcement is the renewed, urgent search for the shooter. The attack, which occurred inside the Barus & Holley engineering building during a final exam study session, killed two students and injured nine others. Authorities are focusing their efforts on analyzing video footage of an unidentified individual seen leaving the campus shortly after the shooting. The Providence Police Department, working with the FBI and State Police, has emphasized the need for community assistance, asking for any additional video evidence or tips to help solve the case.
Understanding the initial detention of Benjamin Erickson provides context for the rapid investigation. Though not a current student, Erickson's identity was quickly connected to the case after officials received a tip, and his military background was confirmed by Army records. The swift release, however, highlights the complexity of the investigation and the determination of law enforcement to follow the evidence, despite the intense public pressure to make an arrest following the tragic violence that shook the prestigious university community.
The future outlook for Brown University and the surrounding community involves both ongoing recovery and heightened vigilance. The university has canceled all remaining classes and final exams, urging students to leave campus early as a massive manhunt for the confirmed killer continues. Authorities have vowed to maintain an "enhanced law enforcement presence" on and around the campus until the perpetrator is brought to justice, signaling the seriousness of the unresolved case.