LOS ANGELES (OC).–Arrested at 3:45 AM today at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, RI with two firearms, 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson was named as person of interest, the conservative designation before named as a suspect in the shooting deaths of two Brown University students in an engineering classroom during final exams week. Unconfirmed rumors have Erickson as a student at Brown a few years, possibly adding to the motive in the killing. At least 11 people were injured in Erickson’s rampage, some still in critical condition but reported stable by hospital officials. While not yet identified as a suspect, Providence police haven’t shared any ballistic evidence but no doubt have what they need to tie Erickson to the shootings. Police spent nearly 12 hours hunting Erickson down before finding him in a Coventry motel, arresting him without incident at 3:45 AM.
If Erickson had mental problems or a disgruntled former Brown student isn’t yet known but the pieces to the puzzle are coming together. As with most school shootings, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, with shooters usually having an ax to grind. Brown officials don’t know how Erickson entered the building but reports say the door was unlocked because of finals. “It is unknown how he entered the building, but we do know that he entered the Hope Street side of the complex,” said Timothy O’Hara, Providence deputy police chief. Brown officials issued a shelter-in-place order, only recently lifted because school officials do believe they have their killer in custody. Brown University President Paxon called the shooting “a deeply tragic day for Brown, our families, and our local community, realizing the traumatic nature of a school shooting.
President Trump expressed his condolences to the families affected by the incident, offering his prayers but not bringing up any Second Amendment issues. Democrats were quick to talk about the need for better gun control legislation, especially tightening up access of firearms to the mentally ill. Trump said he was praying for victims and their families but no mention to tighten up the nation’s gun laws. “We are working with what we have, and, obviously we have some at the police station, that person of interest. And we’re going to continue to build that case in order to be able to charge that person,” said Col. Oscar L. Perez Jr., chief of the Providence Police Department. Perez didn’t confirm whether Erickson was a former student at Brown University. Providence police confirmed there is no other person of interest or possible suspect on the horizon.
No one knows any of the detail about Erickson until police continue to interrogate, knowing he must be read his Miranda rights, before police can legally interrogate him. New York and Pennsylvania officials found out a year ago, Dec. 4, 2024, what happens when they get information on Manhattan CEO killer Luigi Mangione. Mangione’s defense team claims Pennsylvania and New York police didn’t follow appropriate protocol before getting Mangione to talk or be searched. Rhode Island police have been very careful revealing any information to the press before they can state with certainty the killer’s name and backgound. No one knows yet how much time and preparation Erickson took in plotting to enter a Brown classroom and open fire on vulnerable students. No one knows yet whether Erickson had any help in plotting out his school shooting.
Better gun control laws might have prevented Erickson from obtain the handguns used in the shooting. Some eyewitneses whose names have been withheld claim that Erickson used a rifle in the attack. Police have not yet revealed the nature of the weapons used in the attack. Many question remain unanswered about the gunman who now finds himself in police custody subjected to interrogation. Police want to know the motive of a 24-year-old entering an engineering classroom and opening fire. Whether Erickson was a disgruntled Brown student, the University has not stepped up to reveal anything. Federal privacy laws prohibit faculty and school officials from releasing information without a warrant from a judge. Even police probable cause investigating a murder can force school personnel from violating federal privacy law protecting students identity.
When the dust settles, police will release in dribs-and-drabs more information about Erickson’s connection to Brown if there is one. It’s inconceivable that some random shooter would enter the engineering classroom win an intent of killing and injuring as many students as possible. No question Erickson knew where to go to enter a classroom around finals time when it’s predictable where students would be during exams. Whatever mental problems Erickson has, it’s no enough to claim insanity when you consider the amount of planning to pull off such a despicable feat. “What a terrible this its is and all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those were very badly hurt,” Trump said, saying nothing about any new gun control legislation. If there’s any lesson learned in the Brown shooting, it’s that it can happen anywhere no matter what the community.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
