Two Victims Identified in Brown University Attack as Law Enforcement Continue Search for Killer.
Both young individuals who died in Saturday’s violent attack at Brown University were being remembered Monday – while an intensive search for their shooter continued following the release by Rhode Island officials of the only individual detained in connection in the case.
Remembering Ella Cook
Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, was called “a wonderful, steady, devout, shining presence”, as stated by the Birmingham's Cathedral Church of the Advent, which offered condolences for her at a ceremony on Sunday.
Her role included second-in-command of Brown’s division of College Republicans of America, according to the organization. Karoline Leavitt also posted words of sorrow on social media, saying in part: “It's indescribable. Keeping in mind her family and friends, above all her mom and dad.”
MukhammadAziz Umurzokov
The second fatality was an Uzbek national named MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, a citizen of Uzbekistan in his first year of studies at the prestigious university, his family confirmed.
Umurzokov’s identity was confirmed by Uzbekistan’s foreign ministry.
“He was exceptionally gentle, witty, and bright. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people,” his sibling Samira said in a online post.
Details of the Attack
Nine other people were hurt in the violent event in the engineering department of Brown’s grounds in Providence, during the school’s final exam period.
Law enforcement reported on Sunday evening that a 24-year-man detained in a raid at a lodging about 17 miles from the university earlier in the day was released from custody.
“We have a murderer out there,” said Peter Neronha, Peter Neronha.
He added, “Occasionally a probe goes down a path, and then you have to regroup and pursue a different angle, and that’s exactly what has happened over the last approximately one day.”
Community Anxiety
Brett Smiley, Brett Smiley, admitted: “We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community”.
The gunman discharged a weapon inside a lecture hall in the building on over the weekend, shooting over four dozen bullets from a 9mm pistol, a police source informed the Associated Press.
Officers that raided the lodging seized two handguns and magazines when the person of interest was taken into custody, according to reports.
Condition of the Injured
Regarding the nine injured, a single scholar was discharged from care, said Brown’s president, Christina Paxson. Seven others were in grave but unchanging health, and another was critically ill, officials reported on Sunday.
Durham Academy, a private academy in the city of Durham, said a former student, Kendall Turner, was among those critically wounded.
Further Tributes
Cook was remembered at a church service in Birmingham on Sunday. A pastor commented, “She shone as a remarkable, stable, devout beacon not only here growing up... but at Brown University she was a radiant presence in that particular place as well.”
The president of College Republicans, Martin Bertao, released remarks from the club. “Ella was recognized for her courageous, valiant, and compassionate nature as she aided her club and fellow classmates,” he said.
The US ambassador, Jonathan Henick, said he was “deeply saddened” by the student's death in a statement. “Our profound condolences go out to Mr Umurzokov’s family, loved ones, and fellow students and mourn the loss of his promising future.”
Wider Picture
The fatal shooting at Brown, the country's seventh most historic college with about over seven thousand undergraduate and three thousand graduate students, took place amid one of at least nearly 400 mass shootings documented across the United States so far in this year, according to statistics. The following Monday was the 349th day of the year.