Providence, R.I. — The Brown University community and the wider region are mourning the death of Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Alabama, who was killed in a mass shooting on December 13, 2025. The attack occurred around 4 p.m. inside the Barus and Holley Building, which houses the School of Engineering, during final exams.
Authorities described the incident as a targeted act that left two students dead and nine others wounded. According to investigators, a gunman entered the classroom during exams and opened fire. Surveillance footage later captured an individual in dark clothing leaving the area on Hope Street.
Law enforcement launched a large-scale search, briefly detaining a person of interest who was later released due to insufficient evidence. Officials noted that while exterior doors to the building were unlocked for exam access, interior classrooms required keycard entry, underscoring the challenges of campus security.
Cook was actively engaged in student leadership, serving as vice president of the Brown University College Republicans. Her involvement reflected her commitment to political discourse and her willingness to contribute to campus dialogue. Friends and classmates described her as energetic, principled, and dedicated to fostering community engagement.
Beyond campus, Cook was a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. During a service following her death, she was remembered as a “faithful bright light,” a phrase that underscored her deep faith and the impact she had on her church community. Her connections to both Providence and Birmingham highlighted the breadth of her influence and the strength of her relationships.
The Providence community responded with candlelight vigils in Lippitt Park, transforming planned holiday gatherings into moments of collective mourning. The university increased police presence across campus, and several nearby institutions canceled in-person activities to ensure safety amid heightened concern. Students, faculty, and residents joined together to honor the victims and call for solidarity in the face of tragedy.
Cook’s death, along with that of fellow student Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, sent shockwaves through the Ivy League campus and beyond. The violence disrupted a period of academic focus and preparation, leaving students grappling with grief during finals. Leaders across the region emphasized the need for reflection and resilience, while advocacy groups renewed calls for addressing gun violence in educational settings.