Person of interest in Brown University shooting served in Army, worked at Arlington National Cemetery
Suspect detained in connection with the incident Shooting at Brown UniversityThe man, identified by law enforcement sources as Benjamin Erickson, is a decorated soldier who served at Arlington National Cemetery, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Erickson, a 24-year-old Wisconsin native, served as an infantry soldier in the U.S. Army, where he received sniper training, had experience in firearms training, and served as a rifleman between 2021 and 2024, according to the profile.
Erickson also received a good conduct medal, participated in “security duties” alongside the president and assisted with funerals in Arlington, the profile said.
His LinkedIn page stated that he plans to continue his college education at Brown University in the fall 2025 semester.
A U.S. Army spokesman said Erickson had not served on any missions and left last year with the rank of specialist. Brown University did not immediately respond to questions about Erickson’s record.
Officials said the man in question is not a current student at Brown, but law enforcement sources told CNN he may have recently enrolled.
Emergency personnel gathered Saturday at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, to investigate a shooting that left two students dead and nine others injured. -Mark Stockwell/AP
Erickson took psychology-focused online courses at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after graduating from high school in July 2020, then transferred to Brown for this fall semester after his military service ended, according to the profile, which lists a variety of interests including animal welfare, veterans support and helping the poor.
The profile also stated that he interned as a carpenter and helped out at a horse rescue center.
Staff at Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland told CNN that Erickson was part of an Army unit learning horse handling techniques at the rescue center between 2023 and 2024. US Army’s 3d US Infantry Regiment Caisson DetachmentIt is a unit that provides escorts for military and state funerals, staff said.
A high school yearbook contained a photo of Erickson on his school’s wrestling team. A. profile X, which appears to belong to Erickson, posted posts about wrestling, music and political satire in 2016 and 2017.
Bryce Jankowski, one of Erickson’s former high school classmates, said he recently texted with Erickson, who said he studied at Brown.
“He said he was doing well,” Jankowski said. “He said he was living in a hotel because his apartment was flooded,” but he said it didn’t bother him.
Jankowski described Erickson as a good-natured, intelligent individual. He did not recall Erickson making any alarming statements, holding extremist views or having any behavioral problems. “He was very smart.”
After high school, he said, Erickson told him he was in sniper school for the U.S. Army.
A former high school wrestling teammate, who asked to remain anonymous, described Erickson this way: “He was a pretty nice guy, quiet… He’s really outgoing when you get to know him, but when you don’t know him, he’s pretty quiet.”
On Sunday afternoon, CNN observed the FBI at a Wisconsin home belonging to Erickson’s family.
A search of court databases showed Erickson had no clear criminal history, other than a dismissed charge for driving on a sidewalk in 2023.
CNN’s Bill Kirkos, Thomas Bordeaux and Jeff Winter contributed to this report.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at: CNN.com
