Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting to Be Released

Providence officials announced Sunday night they will release a person of interest detained following a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine others. Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials made the disclosure at a hastily convened news conference, more than 12 hours after revealing they had detained someone in connection with the attack that occurred Saturday afternoon during final exams.

Multiple news outlets, citing law enforcement sources, identified the person of interest as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson from Wisconsin. He was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from Providence.

The gunman opened fire during final exams in the Barus & Holley building, which houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The shooting left at least two people dead and injured nine others who are receiving treatment at a local hospital.