Brown University Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Nine Injured; Suspect in Custody

A shooting occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, resulting in two fatalities and nine injuries. The incident took place inside a first-floor classroom of the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building during final exams.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that seven of the nine injured victims are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and another has been discharged. Brown University President Christina H. Paxson stated that at least ten of the eleven victims were students.

A person of interest, identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, a Washington, D.C. resident and U.S. Army veteran, was detained on Sunday morning. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez provided limited information, noting that Erickson served as an infantryman from 2021 through November 2024 but was never deployed.

Two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines were recovered at the scene. The shooter fired approximately 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun inside the classroom.

In response to the incident, Brown University canceled all classes, final exams, papers, and projects for the remainder of the semester. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.