Alabama community mourns Brown University student killed in shooting
An outpouring of support came from across the nation after Ella Cook, a sophomore at Brown University from Mountain Brook, Alabama was identified as one of the two students killed when a gunman opened fire at the Rhode Island university Saturday.
The Rev. Craig Smalley of Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham said Sunday that Cook was a "bright light" in the world.
"Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed [Saturday]. And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light ... not only here growing up here at the Advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well."
U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, who represent Alabama, reacted on Monday to the shooting that killed another student and wounded nine others.
Britt said in a statement that she and her husband "join the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Ella Cook, who was senselessly killed over the weekend on Brown University's campus."
"There are no words that can ease the pain Ella's family and friends are enduring right now," the Republican senator said. "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."
Tuberville posted on Facebook : "I am heartbroken to hear that Mountain Brook's Ella Cook was among those killed over the weekend at Brown University. Our hearts and our prayers are with the Cook family and everyone impacted by this senseless killing."
Condolences also are pouring in from other GOP leaders.
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said: "Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama. A bright future was ended much too soon. Join me in lifting up her family in prayers of comfort."
College Republicans of America identified the 19-year-old Cook as vice president of Brown's College Republicans.
"Ella was known for her bold, brave and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates," President of College Republicans of American Martin Bertao said. "Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CR's (College Republicans) and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared Bertao's statement on Twitter and said, "There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them."
Political strategist William Branson Donahue, founder and chairman of College Republicans of America, said he is "filled with rage and sadness" over Cook's death.
Donahue said he believed Cook "was allegedly targeted for her conservative beliefs, hunted, and killed in cold blood."
The other slain student was identified as MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national.
"He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people," his sister wrote in a GoFundMe. "He continues to be my family's biggest role model in all aspects. He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew."
No suspect is in custody, and a potential motive has not been released.
A 24-year-old was detained in the shooting, but he was released Sunday night after authorities said they determined there was no basis to keep him in custody.
Brown canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the semester and told students they could leave campus, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the gravity of the attack.
The Providence Police Department released a 19-second video clip on Monday afternoon of a person dressed in all black walking down a street on Saturday at about 4:06 p.m. The video appears to be taken on Waterman Street and officials said the video is of a person of interest .
Brown University Shooting, Dec. 13, 2025
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