Brown Shooting Suspect Search Continues, Fundraising Aids Victims

PROVIDENCE, RI — Saturday’s Brown shooting suspect remains at large, as investigators seek leads on a new person of interest and Rhode Islanders focus on remaining alert for the person and fundraising aid for victims.

Tuesday,  Brown University released the names of the two students killed.

“On Saturday, Dec. 13, Brown lost two members of its community to an act of unimaginable and senseless violence. Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov were two young people whose amazing promise was extinguished much too soon,’ wrote Brown President Christina H. Paxson in a statement on the university website.

Ella, an accomplished competitive pianist, served as a volunteer leader for the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham at home. She was known for her compassionate, loyal and courageous spirit, described by a church leader as a “tremendous bright light” who brought peace and faith to all those around her, Paxon wrote. At Brown, Ella served as vice president of the Republican Club of Brown University and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Mukhammad, a U.S. dual citizen from Uzbekistan, graduated from Midlothian High School in VA. He was a dedicated, well-rounded student who served as president of the school’s Model United Nations chapter and captain of the Scholastic Bowl team there. The first-year student was known for being driven, conscientious and disciplined as he pursued his ambition to become a neurosurgeon.

“As I learn more about Ella and Mukhammad, I am struck by what vibrant, impactful, and kind people they were, Gov. Dan McKee wrote about the students. “Brown has lost some wonderful spirits. We grieve not only for the immediate loss to their families and friends, but for the futures these two young people should have had.  I ask all Rhode Islanders to continue holding Ella and Mukhammad’s families and loved ones in their hearts.”

A verified GoFundme page set up to  help cover medical & funeral expenses for those affected by the shooting has, as of Dec. 17, raised $86,000 of its $120,000 goal.

New Brown Shooting Suspect Image Released

Meanwhile, in Providence, the Providence Police Department has established an enhanced presence in Providence neighborhoods, with officers going to businesses and residences to request available camera footage.

As part of their continuing investigation into leads on the shooter, police have released a new image of the shooter, clad all in black, with a dark gray jacket, including an apparent knit cap and mask covering the bottom of their face. Police have also posted footage of the Brown shooting suspect, captured on the East side of Providence prior to the shooting.