Brown University president pays tribute to slain students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov.
In a tragic incident at Brown University over the weekend, two students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, lost their lives in a shooting that occurred on the Providence campus. University President Christina Paxson commemorated them as “brilliant and beloved,” expressing profound sorrow in a letter addressed to the university community. Paxson remarked on the immense potential both students had and emphasized the unfortunate premature end to their promising futures.
Cook and Umurzokov were killed when an unidentified gunman opened fire inside the Barus and Holley building, where students were attending an economics class on Saturday afternoon. This act of violence left a total of 11 victims injured, with the latest reports indicating that seven individuals are in critical condition while another has since been stabilized. The final victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Umurzokov, a first-semester student, was described as driven and disciplined, with aspirations to pursue a career in medicine inspired by personal experiences. He had enrolled with the intent to concentrate in biochemistry and molecular biology, driven by a commitment to serving others. Paxson acknowledged his dedication in her letter, highlighting the respect he garnered among peers and family alike for his altruistic ambitions.
Ella Cook, originally from Alabama, was in her second academic year at Brown. She displayed a keen interest in French and Francophone studies and was recognized for her passionate and intellectually curious nature. Paxson noted her talents as an accomplished pianist and her reputation for embodying compassion, loyalty, and courage.
In the aftermath of this devastating event, authorities are actively pursuing the unidentified assailant responsible for the shooting. A person of interest was detained for questioning but later released without charges. The FBI has initiated a manhunt, offering a reward of ,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the gunman.
As the Brown University community comes to terms with this tragedy, officials are providing support services to help students and staff cope with the emotional fallout of such a horrific experience. The university has suspended classes temporarily to allow for healing and reflection. The search continues for answers and for justice for the lives tragically cut short.
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