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Benjamin Erickson: Brown University suspect's alleged photos, social media profiles surface
Benjamin Erickson has been identified as the person of interest in the Brown University, Providence shooting.
Benjamin Erickson has been identified as the person of interest in the Brown University, Providence shooting on Saturday, NBC News reported, citing law enforcement officials. The 24-year-old was taken into custody after the incident on December 13 that left two dead and eight injured.
Authorities have not officially released the name yet, only saying they have detained a male in his 20s, without confirming that the person is the suspect in the shooting. However, with the spotlight on Erickson after the NBC News report, his alleged social media profiles and photos have been shared on X. HT.com could not independently verify this information.
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Benjamin Erickson alleged photos and social media profiles
Several photos of Erickson have been circulated online even as CNN identified the person. One picture shows him smiling, wearing a brown top.
In another post, an alleged photo of Erickson was shared along with a link to his LinkedIn profile. “This is the correct Benjamin Erickson that committed the Brown University shooting,” the person wrote.
Meanwhile, a wrong Benjamin Erickson had initially been identified on social media, and the person's mother, Kathy, has now shared a message on social media. “Our hearts go out to the victims of the shooting in Rhode Island over the weekend. We certainly didn't expect the suspect to share the name of our son! Makes me pause and say a prayer for his parents who must be devastated. Ben actually got a call from the Wall Street Journal a few minutes ago. He's living here with us in St. Louis but was living in Milwaukee so has a Wisconsin phone number. Crazy!,” she said.
The person of interest was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence.
Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities found two loaded 30-round magazines, as per Associated Press. One of the firearms had a laser sight to aid targeting, the agency further reported. The Brown University shooter had fired over 40 rounds from a 9mm, authorities shared.
Authorities reportedly asked the person what he'd been doing that day and evening, and the individual replied they'd been in the hotel the whole time, as per CNN. The publication further reported that the person of interest is believed to have travelled from Wisconsin to Rhode Island to carry out the shooting at Brown last night.
