A Place of Learning Turn into a Crime Scene

On the afternoon of Saturday, December 13, 2025, a mass shooting unfolded inside a crowded classroom at Brown University during the fall semester’s final examination period. The attack, which took place in the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, resulted in two students killed and nine others injured, sending shockwaves through the campus and the wider Ivy League community.

The Shooting and Immediate Impact

At approximately 4:00 p.m. EST, an armed individual opened fire inside Room 166 of the Barus & Holley building, where students were attending a final exam review session. The classroom, which held more than 60 students, quickly erupted into chaos as those present ran for cover or sought shelter.

The shooter fled on foot following the attack. Authorities believe a single weapon, reported to be a 9mm firearm, was used in the assault, though the exact type and ownership of the weapon remain under investigation.

Victims and Hospitalization

The two students who lost their lives have been publicly identified:

• Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore from Alabama described by classmates as a bright and compassionate presence.
  
  

• Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a first-year student from Virginia, remembered as kind-hearted and academically driven.
  
  

Nine others were wounded and transported to Rhode Island Hospital with gunshot injuries. Several remain in critical but stable condition in the days following the shooting.

Ongoing Manhunt and Investigation

As of now, no suspect has been apprehended, and the individual responsible remains at large and considered armed and dangerous.

Law enforcement agencies including the Providence Police Department, FBI, and Rhode Island State Police continue an intensive investigation. Authorities have released surveillance images and videos of a masked person of interest captured near campus hours before the shooting and moments afterward.

Officials are also asking the public to help identify another person seen near the primary person of interest in released footage.

In an effort to expedite leads, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that results in the gunman’s identification, arrest, and conviction.

Campus Notice and Security Response

Brown University officials issued shelter-in-place alerts via their emergency notification system as the shooting unfolded, instructing students and staff to lock doors and remain hidden.

In the days that followed, the university canceled remaining fall term exams and allowed students to return home early for the winter break. Additional security personnel remain on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods.

Community Mourning and Reaction

Vigils, memorials, and support gatherings have been held across Brown’s campus and Providence to honor the deceased and support injured students and their families. The local community has joined in solidarity, laying flowers and candles in tribute.

The tragedy has also sparked broader conversation about campus safety, emergency communication systems, and the adequacy of surveillance coverage in older university buildings.

Public Safety and Criticism

Some community members have questioned the effectiveness of campus alert systems and the timing of official communications during the crisis. Concerns have also been voiced about surveillance infrastructure and preparedness for such incidents.

National Context

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of gun violence affecting educational institutions across the United States, reigniting debates over campus security policies, mental health resources, and firearm regulation.

Sources:

The Guardian/ AP News/ Boston 25 News/ Reddit