The Brown University community remains shaken following a deadly mass shooting that claimed the lives of two students and injured nine others, as law enforcement continues an intensive search for the suspect days after the attack.
While online speculation has circulated regarding possible identities, authorities have not officially confirmed the name of the shooter, and the investigation remains active. The victims have been identified as Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, both students at Brown University.
The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon when a masked individual dressed entirely in black entered a lecture hall inside the Holley Engineering Building on Brown’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island, and opened fire.
The sudden violence inside an academic setting has deeply impacted students, faculty, and residents across the city. Police initially detained a person of interest on Sunday following a lead but released the individual after determining there was no evidence connecting them to the shooting.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha later confirmed that investigators had shifted their focus in a different direction. The reversal heightened anxiety within the community, particularly as no arrest has been made.
On Monday, Providence police released several short surveillance videos in hopes of identifying the suspect. The footage shows a person dressed in black clothing, including a face covering and dark cap, walking through nearby residential streets shortly before the shooting.
While the videos offer limited detail, authorities believe public assistance could be critical in advancing the investigation. The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez emphasized that investigators are working around the clock, stating that locating the suspect remains their top priority. Officials have not disclosed a motive and have not confirmed whether the victims were specifically targeted or if the attack was random.
In response to the tragedy, Brown University canceled all remaining in-person classes and final exams for the semester. Portions of the campus remain restricted, and approximately 2,000 students were relocated overnight to safe locations, many with the help of local residents who opened their homes.
Tributes have poured in for the victims. Ella Cook was remembered by classmates and organizations for her leadership, compassion, and dedication to student life.
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an international student from Uzbekistan, was described by family as intelligent, kind, and deeply committed to his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. Officials from the United States and Uzbekistan expressed condolences, highlighting the global impact of the loss.
