A chilling search is underway following a shooting at Brown University that claimed the lives of two students and injured nine others. Police have released new video footage of a person they are seeking to identify, hoping the public can provide a crucial lead in this rapidly unfolding investigation.
The victims have been identified as nineteen-year-old Ella Cook, a rising Republican voice and vice president of the university’s Republican club, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an aspiring neurosurgeon from Uzbekistan. Friends and family describe both as beacons of kindness and unwavering spirit.
Ella’s family, mourning her loss at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Alabama, remembered her as an “incredible, grounded, faithful bright light” who consistently uplifted those around her. Her dedication extended beyond the church, deeply impacting her community at Brown University.
Mukhammad, remembered as a “ball of joy” by his roommate, was a source of constant encouragement and support. His family shared that he was “the most kind-hearted person” they knew, a role model whose loss has left an immeasurable void.
The shooting unfolded within the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, where doors were reportedly unlocked during exams. A teaching assistant recounted the terrifying moment bullets struck the chalkboard near his position, a stark reminder of the violence that erupted.
Initial leads focused on a person of interest in their twenties, but investigators later determined there was no basis to connect him to the crime and released him. The search for the actual perpetrator continues, with officials assuring the community there are currently no credible threats.
A vigil held Sunday night saw students and community members gather, offering candles and flowers as a testament to the lives lost. Brown University has canceled classes and exams for the remainder of the year, grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.
The tragedy at Brown University echoes a global pattern of violence, occurring just a day before another mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. The weight of these events resonates deeply, leaving communities worldwide in mourning and seeking answers.
