A suspect of interest has been apprehended regarding a shooting incident at Brown University in the United States that resulted in two fatalities, according to police authorities.
Additionally, nine others sustained injuries after a shooter opened fire at the institution in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday.
Law enforcement indicated that the apprehended suspect is in his 20s, who was subsequently identified by US news sources as Benjamin Erickson.
Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence stated that seven individuals who were injured in the event remained in stable condition, with one in critical condition and another having been released.
The shooter began firing in a classroom at approximately 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday within the Holley engineering building located at the eastern section of Brown’s campus, officials reported.
The names of the deceased and most of the injured have yet to be disclosed, but Brown University President Christina Paxson informed reporters on Saturday that all those affected, both deceased and wounded, were students.
In an email sent to staff on Sunday, the leader of Durham Academy, a private institution in North Carolina, mentioned that one of their alumni, Kendall Turner, had been injured in the violence, as reported by US media.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Kendall, her family, and the entire Brown University community during this tremendously challenging period,” remarked Michael Ulku-Steiner.
In a statement made public by the university on Sunday, Paxson noted that several sections of campus remained restricted while police continued their investigations.
Around 2,000 students were moved to safe areas overnight, she said, expressing her gratitude for the students and local residents who welcomed them into their homes.
Paxson mentioned that the families of the two fallen students were receiving support.
“There are insufficient words to comfort families encountering the loss of a child, but we will do everything within our power,” she continued.
During a press conference on Sunday, Smiley stated that a previous directive for residents to shelter in place had been rescinded.
The mayor indicated that he had met with victims and their families in the hospital and felt “overwhelmed” by their “bravery, hope, and appreciation”.
A vigil is planned for Sunday evening for the community.
Earlier, police had released CCTV images of a male suspect departing the location clad entirely in black. Law enforcement stated that a firearm was not discovered during a sweep of the premises.
In a post on X, FBI director Kash Patel revealed that the suspect was captured at a hotel in Coventry, during the early hours of Sunday, following a tip-off from Providence Police.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed on Sunday that officials were not searching for any additional suspects and were collaborating with prosecutors to gather evidence.
A large contingent of police officers and federal agents was dispatched to Providence on Saturday to locate the suspect.
Speaking from the White House, President Trump expressed hope for the rapid recovery of the nine injured students and paid tribute to the families of the two deceased individuals.
This attack on the Ivy League university contributes to the total of 389 mass shootings recorded in the US this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
It categorizes mass shootings as incidents with four or more victims killed or injured, excluding the attacker.
