In an unexpected turn of events, authorities have released a 24-year-old man initially detained in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University. During a late-night press briefing on Sunday, officials confirmed that the individual, Benjamin Erickson, who was arrested earlier that day, was not connected to the tragic event.

Erickson was taken into custody at dawn on Sunday, found at a Hampton Inn near the university. However, investigators have since determined that he was not involved in the incident. The shooting, which resulted in the deaths of two students and injured nine others, has presented significant challenges in the investigation process.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha acknowledged the complexities involved in piecing together evidence and following leads in the chaotic aftermath of such a tragedy. “These investigations can be unpredictable,” Neronha remarked, emphasizing the need to sometimes shift directions as new information emerges.

Erickson was initially identified as a “person of interest,” based on preliminary evidence. However, Neronha stated that the investigation has since veered in a new direction, suggesting that the initial evidence was not as solid as hoped.

One of the leads they developed led them to Erickson, who authorities only referred to as a “person of interest.” Neronha said that there was only “some degree of evidence” that led them to Erickson, but said their investigation “now points in a different direction.”

“I think it’s fair to say that there’s no basis to consider him a person of interest, and that’s why he’s being released. We still have a lot of steps to take in this case,” he added.

Officials never formally identified Erickson as the person of interest they had in custody, but his name was leaked to multiple media outlets, including The Post.

Neronha criticized those who “leaked [information] to the public” and recognized it would be difficult “to put that back in the bottle.”

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley assured that they would keep a heightened security presence on and around campus so people could feel “comfort” while trying to find a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of the shooting.

Smiley added that officials see no reason to reinstate a shelter-in-place order since Brown University has not received any credible threats since the shooting.

Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee said that he recently spoke with FBI Director Kash Patel, who is “committed to bringing the resources of the federal government into this case.”

The FBI opened a tip line on its website. Officials said they are still searching for additional video evidence of the suspect, and they still believe the person seen in the footage released on Saturday is the assailant they are after.