Brown University Shooting Victims Identified as Authorities Intensify Gunman Search

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The Brown University community is grappling with the tragic loss of two students who fell victim to a shooting on campus this past Saturday.

Though authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the identities of the deceased, community sources have identified them as MukhammadAziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook.

In addition to the fatalities, nine other individuals sustained injuries during the incident.

Live Updates: Shooting at Brown University Claims 2 Lives, Injures 9

Umurzokov, a first-year student, was remembered as an aspiring neurosurgeon with a heartfelt ambition to help others, as noted on a dedicated GoFundMe page.

Umurzokov grew up in Virginia, and an official with Chesterfield County Public Schools confirmed to our sister station WRIC that he went to Midlothian High School.

The U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, shared his condolences to the family.

“I am deeply saddened by reports of the tragic death of Brown University student Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov on December 13,” he said. “We extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Umurzokov’s family, friends, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his bright future.”

Ella Cook

During a sermon Sunday morning, Cathedral Church of the Advent identified Cook, a member of the church, as one of the victims.

“She was an incredibly grounded and generous and faithful bright light, here at the Advent for many years as she was engaged and involved in our worship and our community,” Rev. R. Craig Smalley said, according to our sister station WIAT.

She grew up in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and was a sophomore at Brown where she was involved in campus life.

The New York Young Republican Club said Cook was the vice president of the Republican Club at Brown University.

Sen. Katie Boyd Britt also released a statement mourning the loss of Cook.

“There are no words that can ease the pain that Ella’s family and friends are enduring right now,” she wrote. “Her beautiful life was taken far too soon, but those who loved her are comforted in knowing that she has joined our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all of eternity.”

“During this unimaginable time, I am deeply grateful to the local, state, and federal law enforcement officials who continue to work to ensure justice is served,” she continued.

Officials are still searching for the gunman. A person of interest who was picked up by police early Sunday morning was released without being charged.

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