Brown University victims ID’d as GOP club VP Ella Cook and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: Two students killed in a deadly shooting at Brown University over the weekend have been identified as officials continue to piece together what led to the violence that left nine others injured on campus.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a Brown University freshman, was identified as the second victim who tragically lost his life after being fatally shot on the Providence, Rhode Island, campus on Saturday, December 13.

Umurzokov was identified by his family through a GoFundMe page created on Sunday. Earlier that day, the other victim was identified as sophomore Ella Cook of Birmingham, Alabama. Cook was named by a parish in her hometown during a Sunday afternoon prayer meeting.

According to his family, Umurzokov was on Brown’s campus for an economics review when he was shot.

Family honors Brown University shooting victim Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov

In the GoFundMe campaign, Umurzokov’s family described a young man with ambition and compassion as they mourned the loss of a son who had his entire future ahead of him.

“He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart,” the page said of Umurzokov. “He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people. He continues to be my family’s biggest role model in all aspects.” The tribute continued with further reflections on his generosity.

“He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew,” it added. “Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss.”

The fundraising campaign set a goal of $150,000 to help cover expenses related to his death. As of publication, more than $109,000 had already been raised.

Church remembers Brown University shooting victim Ella Cook

Ella Cook was a Brown University student and a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, where her death was announced during Sunday morning services. The church’s Rev Craig Smalley addressed the congregation, sharing the tragic news and remembering Cook’s impact on those around her.

“Many of you heard about the tragedy, which happened at Brown University, and sadly, tragically, one of those people is one of our parishioners,” Smalley said during the service.

He described Cook as deeply involved in both her faith community and her campus life. “She was engaged and involved in our worship and in our community, and as she served here at the church and in the wider community, in all sincerity, just a tremendous and bright light in there at Brown University as well, in the time that she was there, was such a light and such a witness,” Smalley said.

He went on to reflect on Cook’s character and steady presence. “And for those of you who knew her, who know her, she was a just incredibly grounded and generous and faithful and bright light, both here at the Advent, over many years, as she was engaged and involved in our worship and in our community, and as she served here at the church and in the wider community, in all sincerity, just a tremendous, a tremendous and bright light in there at Brown University as well, in the time that she was there was such a light and such a witness,” Smalley added.

Nine injured as Brown University shooting suspect identified

Authorities said the shooting left nine others injured, though details about their conditions were not immediately released. Officials described the incident as a brazen attack that shook the Ivy League campus and the surrounding community.

On Sunday, Benjamin Erickson, 24, was identified as the person of interest in the shooting. Erickson was taken into custody at a hotel in Rhode Island around 3:45 am, authorities said.

Erickson is from Wisconsin and previously served as a specialist in the US Army, though he was never deployed, according to an Army statement released Thursday. He was released from service earlier this year and had planned to pursue further studies at Brown University later this year.

At the time of his arrest, officials said Erickson was found in possession of two guns and two fully loaded magazines. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what led to the tragedy.