MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, tragically lost his life in a mass shooting on campus on December 13, 2025, during a review session in the Barus and Holley engineering building.
Originally from Uzbekistan and residing with his family in Midlothian, Virginia, after immigrating to the United States in 2011 as naturalized citizens, he embodied a gentle, extroverted spirit that endeared him to classmates and loved ones alike. The Providence community, along with the broader Brown University family, mourns the abrupt end to a promising young life filled with ambition and compassion.
MukhammadAziz pursued studies in biochemistry and neuroscience at the prestigious Ivy League institution, drawn to its generous financial aid package that minimized the burden on his parents. His academic drive stemmed from personal experiences, including brain surgery at age 10 for a neurological condition and treatment for scoliosis, fueling his aspiration to become a neurosurgeon dedicated to helping others through medicine.
In his family life, MukhammadAziz served as a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend, prioritizing others with generosity and a caring nature that brought joy to gatherings. As the middle child among siblings including sisters Rukhsora and Samira, he looked forward to winter break visits home, planning time with his young niece and maintaining close ties despite his new chapter in Rhode Island.
The shooting incident unfolded abruptly in the afternoon, claiming two lives including MukhammadAziz’s and injuring nine others, prompting an ongoing manhunt with no arrests as authorities examine motives and circumstances. The attack disrupted final exams week, leading to campus lockdowns, cancellations, and heightened security measures amid collective shock in Providence. Tributes from officials, including the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, highlighted his bright future cut short.
Community support has surged through a fundraiser initiated by his sister Samira Umurzokova to address family expenses and donate surplus to charity in his name, reflecting widespread recognition of his kind-hearted legacy. Though details on funeral arrangements remain private as the family prepares an Islamic burial, the emphasis centers on commemorating his scholarly pursuits and compassionate influence.
MukhammadAziz Umurzokov lived a life well lived, marked by intellectual pursuit, resilience from personal health challenges, and profound devotion to family and future service as an aspiring neurosurgeon in Providence and beyond. His legacy endures in the inspirational example he set for siblings, friends, and the Uzbek American community through humility, helpfulness, and dreams of healing others.