Authorities continue to investigate a deadly shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two students dead and nine others wounded. As of Monday, officials said they are still searching for the gunman and have not announced any arrests or identified a motive.
The incident occurred during a critical period on campus, as students were preparing for final exams. University leaders and public officials have since provided updates on the sequence of events, the victims, and the ongoing law enforcement response.
What Happened on Campus
The shooting took place Saturday afternoon inside the Barus and Holley building, according to Christina Paxson, president of Brown University. Students were attending a final exam review session for an economics class at the time. Other students in the building were either taking exams or studying.
The university received the first report of the shooting at approximately 4 p.m. Shortly afterward, Brown issued an emergency alert instructing students and faculty members to lock doors, silence phones, and remain hidden due to reports of an active shooter.
As the alert spread, students sought shelter across campus. Some hid in dormitories, while others moved into basements of nearby buildings and businesses. Police officers in protective gear responded, and emergency vehicles filled surrounding streets.
Students remained sheltered for several hours. In the Sciences Library, students barricaded doors using furniture and lowered window shades. Law enforcement later escorted them to secure areas after clearing buildings.
Brown lifted its campus lockdown early Sunday morning. However, the university canceled all remaining classes and exams for the rest of the fall semester.
The Victims
Authorities identified the two students killed as MukhammadAziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook.
Mr. Umurzokov was 18 years old and originally from Midlothian, Virginia. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen after arriving from Uzbekistan in 2011. According to family members, he initially came to the United States for treatment of Chiari malformation, a condition that places pressure on the brain and spinal cord. He later enrolled at Brown after receiving a financial aid offer and worked over the summer to earn money for a computer. Friends and family said he hoped to become a neurosurgeon.
Ms. Cook was 19 years old and a sophomore from Mountain Brook, Alabama. She was an accomplished piano player, fluent in French, and served as vice president of the College Republican Club. Former classmates described her as highly focused and academically driven. She previously worked summer jobs at an ice cream parlor and with an organization that runs international study programs.
Status of the Suspect Search
Law enforcement officials have not identified the gunman. On Sunday night, Providence police said they would release a person of interest who had been detained earlier. According to Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, investigators did not have sufficient evidence to file charges against that individual.
Officials have not named any suspects or discussed potential motives. Mayor Brett Smiley said authorities do not know whether the attacker remains in Providence.
The investigation has faced challenges due to limited video surveillance in the building where the shooting occurred. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said there were few cameras in the area. As a result, police began canvassing nearby neighborhoods for additional footage.
Authorities released two video clips in hopes of identifying the suspect. One clip shows the back of a man exiting a nearby engineering building, while another shows a person walking on a sidewalk. Neither video shows the individual’s face.
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigation
President Trump said on social media that he had been briefed on the shooting and confirmed that the FBI is assisting on the scene.
Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island described the shooting as an “unthinkable nightmare” and noted its long-term impact on families and the broader community.
Mayor Smiley said he met with a wounded student who credited high school active shooter drills with helping them respond during the incident. Meanwhile, Attorney General Neronha emphasized that investigations of this nature take time, particularly when evidence remains limited.
He stated that investigators continue to prioritize public safety while carefully managing the flow of information to avoid compromising the search.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged anyone with relevant information or video footage to come forward. No further updates on suspects or charges have been announced as of Monday afternoon.
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