Two Victims Named in Brown University Incident as Police Continue Search for Gunman.
Both young individuals who died in the weekend's violent attack in Providence had tributes paid to them on Monday – while an intensive search for their shooter continued following the freeing by authorities in Rhode Island of the sole person questioned in the case.
Tributes for Ella Cook
The young woman Ella Cook, a second-year scholar from Alabama, was called “an amazing, stable, pious, radiant soul”, according to the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham, which paid tribute to her at a gathering on Sunday.
Cook was vice-president of Brown’s branch of the College Republicans organization, the group said. The White House press secretary also expressed condolences online, stating: “There are no words. Remembering her loved ones and companions, above all her mom and dad.”
An International Student
The other person killed was an Uzbek national named MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, from Uzbekistan in his first year of studies at the prestigious university, family members said.
His name was confirmed by the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of entering the field of neurosurgery and helping people,” Samira Umurzokova, his sister said in a tribute.
What Happened
Nine more persons were wounded in Saturday’s attack in the school of engineering of Brown’s university in Providence, during the school’s final exam period.
Law enforcement reported late Sunday that a man aged 24 arrested in a search at a Hampton Inn about approximately 17 miles from the scene earlier in the day was set to be freed.
“A perpetrator remains free,” said Peter Neronha, Peter Neronha.
He added, “Sometimes you head in one direction, and then you need to change course and pursue a different angle, and this is precisely what occurred over the last day or so.”
Ongoing Concerns
Providence’s mayor, Brett Smiley, noted: “It is expected to provoke new worry for our public”.
The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the building on Saturday afternoon, firing more than 40 rounds from a handgun, a authority reported to the Associated Press.
Law enforcement that entered the lodging seized two handguns and magazines when the individual was detained, as was reported.
Those Hurt
Among those wounded, one student was discharged from care, mentioned Christina Paxson, Christina Paxson. Seven more were in grave but unchanging health, and another was critically ill, officials reported on Sunday.
Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in North Carolina, said a former student, Kendall Turner, was in the group of seriously hurt victims.
Additional Memorials
Tributes were paid to Cook at a memorial in Birmingham on Sunday. A reverend stated, “She was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light not only here growing up... but at Brown University she was a radiant presence in that particular place as well.”
The president of College Republicans, Martin Bertao, released remarks from the group. “Ella was recognized for her courageous, valiant, and compassionate nature as she served her chapter and other students,” he said.
The US ambassador, Jonathan Henick, said he was “extremely sorrowful” by the passing of Umurzokov in a message. “We extend our sincere condolences to the Umurzokov family, loved ones, and peers and mourn the loss of his potential.”
Broader Statistics
Saturday’s killings at Brown, the country's seventh most historic higher education institution with about thousands of bachelor's and three thousand graduate students, occurred during one of at least 392 mass shootings recorded nationally so far in 2025, according to records. That Monday marked the 349th day of the year.