Five days after a terrible shooting at Brown University, people in Providence are still feeling scared. Police are asking everyone to be patient while they continue looking for the gunman. The shooting happened on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Two students died and nine others were hurt. This is one of the saddest events in the school’s history.
The Tragic Incident and Victims Identified
The shooting happened in a classroom in the Barus & Holley building, which is for engineering and physics. It was during a final exam review. The FBI said the shooter is a man about 5’8″ tall with a stocky build. He used a 9mm handgun and fired more than 40 rounds before running away. The students who died are:
- Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a freshman from Uzbekistan and Virginia, studied biochemistry and neuroscience. He wanted to be a neurosurgeon.
- Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore from Alabama, was vice president of the Brown College Republicans. She studied French and math and was called a “bright light.”
Nine other students were hurt. Some are in critical but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital. Brown University has canceled the rest of the in-person fall exams to give time to grieve.
Investigation Efforts and the Search for Leads
Police in Providence, Rhode Island State Police, and the FBI are working together. Chief Oscar Perez said this is the “most intense investigation” in the country right now. A 24-year-old man was arrested in Coventry, Rhode Island, but released because he was not the shooter. Police are now focusing on digital leads. They shared a video of a suspect in dark clothes and a mask running near the College Hill area. The Barus & Holley building has few cameras, so police need help from the community.
Police Appeal for Public Cooperation
Chief Perez asked local people and business owners to check their home cameras or doorbell videos from the week before the shooting. Police think the shooter may have watched the campus for some days before the attack. He said, “Small details—a person’s walk, clothes, or being on a street—could help us catch the shooter.”
The FBI is offering $50,000 for information that leads to the gunman. Police also released a new image of a “person of interest” seen near the suspect and want to talk to anyone who saw him.
ALSO Read: Michelle Obama Flaunts Confidence in See-Through Dress — Fans Go Wild
Enhanced Security and Community Safety
No new threats have been found, but police are still very present around Brown University. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said people are scared but police are doing their job.
Brown University has about 1,200 security cameras and is working with the FBI to track the suspect. People in Providence are signing up for emergency alerts. Police are also patrolling local schools to help parents feel safe.
Ongoing Challenges in the Manhunt
The manhunt is difficult because the suspect wore a mask and dark hat, so cameras cannot clearly see his face. Police are also following leads into Massachusetts.
Authorities warn people not to do “online sleuthing” or share unverified information. Earlier in the week, an innocent student was wrongly accused online, which can be dangerous and slow down the investigation.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.