A US Army sniper who was taken into custody in connection with the Brown University mass shooting has been released.

Benjamin Erickson, originally from Wisconsin, was apprehended in connection with the Saturday shooting that left at least two dead and nine injured, according to the Washington Post.

He was taken into police custody early on Sunday morning at the Hampton Inn in Coventry, around 15 miles from Brown University campus in Providence after federal authorities received a tip from local police and used ‘geolocation’ to locate him.

But on Sunday night the attorney general said that while some evidence had initially ‘pointed to’ the person of interest, the evidence now ‘points in a different direction.’

‘So what that means is that this person of interest needs to be released.’

Earlier on Sunday it was revealed that Erickson was not a resident of Rhode Island or a student at the university, having driven 17 hours from Wisconsin to the state before the attack, law enforcement sources told CNN.

Erickson was never charged or named as a suspect in the shooting.

According to NBC, authorities had looking into what might be an extensive mental health history for Erickson.

Prior to his apprehension on Sunday, authorities launched an urgent manhunt for a male suspect ‘wearing all black’ as he turned the corner on Waterman Street.

A LinkedIn profile for Erickson states that he served as an infantry soldier in the US Army, where he passed sniper training, had experience with different types of firearms and served as a rifleman from 2021 through 2024.

For his service, he received a good conduct medal, his LinkedIn page shows.

It also states that he participated in ‘security duties’ near the president and assisted with funeral ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

The LinkedIn page further notes that he was open to volunteering opportunities – listing a variety of causes from animal welfare, civil rights, gender equity, public safety and refugee and migrant support.

The former person of interest took classes online from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after graduating high school, with a focus on psychology.

He then transferred to Brown for the fall semester, after his military service ended, according to the LinkedIn page.

Following the news of his arrest, one of Erickson’s former high school classmates, Bryce Jankowski, described the shooting suspect as being well-behaved and ‘wicked smart.’

He told CNN he did not remember Erickson making any concerning statements, harboring extremist views or having any behavioral challenges.

After high school, Jankowski said Erickson told him he was in sniper school with the US military.

They had recently reconnected, at which point Erickson ‘said he was doing good.

‘He said he was living in a hotel because his apartment flooded, but that didn’t seem to bother him,’ Jankowski said.

A former wrestling teammate also described Erickson as a ‘pretty nice guy’ who was ‘quiet.’

‘He becomes really outgoing when you get to know him, but he’s pretty quiet when you don’t.’

As the investigation into the deadly rampage now continues, federal authorities were seen raiding the home in Cedarsburg, Wisconsin where Erikson grew up.

The Cedarburg Police Department then shared on Facebook that it was ‘made aware by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of their presence in our city to conduct interviews’ related to the shooting at Brown.

‘Cedarburg Police Department offers its condolences and thoughts to those killed, injured or otherwise impacted in the Brown University shooting incident,’ the department noted.

Still, the Providence Police Department said Sunday night that efforts to charge a suspect are ‘active and ongoing.’

‘The Providence Police Department continues to work closely with the Rhode Island State Police, the FBI, local law enforcement partners, and federal, state, and local officials to review evidence and gather all relevant facts,’ said Kristy dosReis, spokesperson for the Providence Police Department.

‘Additional information will be released as it becomes available and once we have a clearer and more complete picture of the circumstances involved,’ she said.

The shooting left two students killed and nine people injured.

The first 911 call reported shots fired at Brown’s engineering building at 4.05pm while students studied for an end of semester exam.

By the time officers swept the scene, the suspect had fled through an exit, officials said.

The shooter, who was armed with a handgun, fired more than 40 9mm rounds, law enforcement officials said.

Two firearms, a small Glock handgun and a revolver, were found in the hotel room the man was staying in. One of the guns had a unique characteristic on it and the other had was a laser-equipped gun, police said.

Two loaded 30-round magazines were also found, an official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press.

A heavy law enforcement response descended on the campus, and the Trump administration said FBI and ATF agents were on the scene.

Terrified students at the Ivy League school were forced to shelter in place for hours overnight. That was lifted at 7am Sunday morning.

Mayor Smiley confirmed at a press conference at 7am on Sunday that there will be an enhanced police presence in Providence today for the ‘comfort and reassurance of our community’ as the investigation continues.

He confirmed two lives were lost and nine people were injured. Smiley also said that tips from the local community were crucial in making the arrest Sunday morning.

Smiley gave an update on the injured – confirming that seven are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition, and one has been discharged from hospital.

‘The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning,’ the mayor said, adding that he is confident to lift the shelter in place this morning.

The Mayor seemed to become emotional as he spoke on Sunday: ‘This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time, for Providence, for Brown, for all of us.

‘This is not something we should have to train for.’

Who is Benjamin Erickson? Wisconsin man, 24, in custody for Brown University mass shooting