The Two Fatalities Identified in the Providence Campus Incident as Police Persist in Search for Perpetrator.
Two students who died in the recent violent attack on the university campus had tributes paid to them on Monday – as a manhunt for their assailant persisted following the freeing by Rhode Island officials of the single suspect questioned in the case.
Tributes for Ella Cook
The student Ella Cook, a second-year scholar from Alabama, was described as “a wonderful, steady, devout, shining presence”, according to the Birmingham's Cathedral Church of the Advent, which paid tribute to her at a gathering on Sunday.
Her role included vice-president of Brown’s branch of the College Republicans organization, according to the organization. Karoline Leavitt also shared sympathies online, stating: “It's indescribable. Keeping in mind her family and friends, particularly her mother and father.”
An International Student
The second fatality was MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, a citizen of Uzbekistan in his freshman year at the prestigious university, according to relatives.
Umurzokov’s identity was verified by the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“He possessed remarkable kindness, humor, and intelligence. His ambitions were lofty of pursuing a career in neurosurgery and aiding others,” his sibling Samira said in a online post.
What Happened
Nine other people were hurt in Saturday’s attack in the engineering department of Brown’s grounds in Providence, during the university's examination week.
Law enforcement reported late Sunday that a 24-year-man detained in a raid at a Hampton Inn about 17 miles from the scene earlier in the day was released from custody.
“A perpetrator remains free,” stated the state's top prosecutor, Peter Neronha.
He added, “Sometimes you head in one direction, and then you need to change course and pursue a different angle, and that is the current situation over the last approximately one day.”
Community Anxiety
Brett Smiley, Brett Smiley, admitted: “It is expected to provoke fresh anxiety for our community”.
The shooter opened fire inside a lecture hall in the engineering building on Saturday afternoon, shooting over four dozen bullets from a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told the media outlet.
Police that searched the lodging seized two handguns and two loaded 30-round magazines when the suspect was arrested, as was reported.
Those Hurt
Regarding the nine injured, a single scholar was discharged from care, stated the university president, Christina Paxson. Seven more were in critical but stable condition, and one remained in critical care, police said on Sunday.
Durham Academy, a independent school in the city of Durham, said a recent graduate, Kendall Turner, was in the group of seriously hurt victims.
Additional Memorials
Cook was honored at a church service in Birmingham on Sunday. A reverend stated, “Her presence was a wonderful, steady, pious glow not only during her upbringing... but at Brown University she was a shining example in that particular place as well.”
Martin Bertao, Martin Bertao, shared a message from the club. “Ella was recognized for her courageous, valiant, and compassionate nature as she aided her club and other students,” he said.
Jonathan Henick, Jonathan Henick, said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Umurzokov in a tribute. “Our profound condolences go out to the Umurzokov family, companions, and schoolmates and lament the passing of his bright future.”
National Context
The fatal shooting at Brown, the country's seventh most historic university with about over seven thousand undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students, happened during one of at least nearly 400 mass shootings reported in the US so far in 2025, according to data. Monday was the 349th day of the year.