A senseless act of violence reportedly shattered Brown University’s campus over the weekend, claiming the life of 19-year-old Ella Cook, vice president of the school’s College Republicans chapter, and another student during a shooting that unfolded in the middle of final exams.
Multiple reports confirm that a gunman opened fire inside a classroom on Brown’s Providence, Rhode Island, campus Saturday afternoon. Cook and one other person were killed, while nine others were injured. As of Monday morning, the suspect remained at large after authorities released a man described as a “person of interest” less than a day after his arrest, leaving many unanswered questions and a shaken campus.
Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, was known for her involvement in conservative politics and her deep Christian faith. Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from across the country, particularly within the conservative community.
College Republicans of America President Marin Bertao issued a statement Sunday night mourning Cook’s loss. “We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook,” Bertao said. “Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates.” Bertao added that prayers are with Cook’s family, the Brown College Republicans, and the entire campus as they grieve.
The statement drew a response from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who wrote simply, “There are no words.” She followed up by saying, “Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.”
Cook was a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. During a Sunday service, the Rev. Craig Smalley described her as a “bright light,” according to ABC News. He spoke of her engagement in worship and service, both within the church and beyond. “She was engaged and involved in our worship and in our community,” Smalley said, adding that she was “such a light and such a witness” during her time at Brown.
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth also paid tribute, calling Cook “a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama.” In a post on X, Ainsworth wrote, “A bright future was ended much too soon. Join me in lifting up her family in prayers of comfort.”
The second victim in the shooting was identified as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman neuroscience student. According to the Washington Post, Umurzokov was an Uzbek immigrant and a naturalized U.S. citizen. His roommate, Khimari Manns, told WPRI-TV that Umurzokov was among the two students killed.
As investigators continue to search for the shooter and determine what led to the attack, the Brown community and the nation are left mourning two young lives cut tragically short. For many, Ella Cook’s death stands as a heartbreaking reminder that even places dedicated to learning and debate are no longer immune from violence.
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