The person of interest held in connection with the shooting at Brown University, identified by law enforcement sources as Benjamin Erickson, is a decorated soldier who served in a position at Arlington National Cemetery, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Erickson, a 24-year-old Wisconsin native, served as an infantry soldier in the United States Army, where he underwent sniper training, experienced firearms instruction and served as a rifleman between 2021 and 2024, according to the profile.
Erickson also received a good conduct medal, participated in “security duties” near the president and assisted with funeral ceremonies in Arlington, the profile stated.
The LinkedIn page stated that he planned to continue his college education at Brown University in the fall semester of 2025.
A US Army spokesman said Erickson had no deployments and left last year with the rank of specialist. Brown University did not immediately respond to questions about Erickson’s record.
Authorities said the person of interest was not a current student at Brown, but law enforcement sources indicated to CNN that he may have been recently enrolled.
Emergency personnel gather at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday during the investigation of a shooting that left two students dead and nine others injured. – Mark Stockwell/AP
Erickson took online classes with a focus on psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after graduating from high school in July 2020, and then transferred to Brown this fall semester after his military service ended, according to the profile, which noted a variety of interests including animal welfare, veteran support and helping the poor.
The profile also noted that he interned as a carpenter and helped out at a horse rescue center.
A staff member at the rescue, the Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Maryland, told CNN that Erickson was part of an Army unit that learned horse handling techniques at the rescue center between 2023 and 2024. Erickson was training with the Caisson Detachment of the US Army 3d US Infantry Regiment said – for a military unit and escort funals.
A high school yearbook included a photo of Erickson on his school’s wrestling team. An X profile that appeared to belong to Erickson was posted in 2016 and 2017 about wrestling, music and political satire.
One of Erickson’s former high school classmates, Bryce Jankowski, said he recently exchanged texts with Erickson, who he said was studying at Brown.
“He said he was doing well,” Jankowski said. “He said he was living in a hotel because his apartment was flooded,” although he said that didn’t seem to bother him.
Jankowski described Erickson as well-mannered and intelligent. He did not recall Erickson making any statements of concern, holding extremist views or having any behavioral challenges. “He was wicked smart.”
After high school, he said Erickson told him he was in sniper school with the US military.
A former high school wrestling teammate, who asked not to be named, described Erickson as “a pretty nice guy, he was quiet…he gets really outgoing when you get to know him, but he’s pretty quiet when you don’t.”
On Sunday afternoon, CNN observed the FBI at a Wisconsin home owned by Erickson’s family.
A search of court databases showed no clear criminal history for Erickson aside from a 2023 case in which he was cited for driving on a curb, a charge that was dismissed.
CNN’s Bill Kirkos, Thomas Bordeaux and Jeff Winter contributed to this report.
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