Brown University shooting: What we know about the victims

December 15, 2025

Two students were fatally shot during a campus shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday, with nine others injured when a masked gunman opened fire in a classroom during an exam review session. Ella Cook, a second-year student serving as vice-president of the school's Republican organization and an accomplished pianist, was killed alongside Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a scholarship-supported first-year student who aspired to become a neurosurgeon. Both victims were remembered during a Sunday candlelight vigil, with tributes highlighting Cook's kind leadership and Umurzokov's determination to succeed despite childhood health challenges including brain surgery.

Who is affected

Ella Cook (deceased victim) - second-year Brown University student
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov (deceased victim) - first-year Brown University student
Nine injured students
The Cook family
The Umurzokov/Umurzokova family, including sister Rukhsora Umurzokova
Brown University College Republicans student organization
Students attending the introductory economics exam review session
Cathedral Church of the Advent (Birmingham, Alabama)
American Uzbekistan Association
College Republicans of America

What action is being taken

A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday in honor of the victims
The Cathedral Church of the Advent held a vigil on Sunday
Tributes are pouring in from various individuals and organizations
A GoFundMe has been created for Mr. Umurzokov

Why it matters

This shooting represents a tragic loss of two promising young lives with significant potential - one an accomplished student leader and musician, the other an academically gifted scholarship student who overcame childhood health challenges to pursue his dream of helping others through neurosurgery. The incident demonstrates the ongoing vulnerability of educational institutions to gun violence and has impacted not only the Brown University community but also extended networks including political organizations, religious communities, and cultural associations. The deaths cut short the futures of two students who had worked exceptionally hard to attend an Ivy League institution and were positioned to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC