Background: 

1. Brown University is a private Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island, in the College Hill neighborhood. 
2. The university was founded in 1764 and is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. 
3. Brown enrolls approximately 11,000–12,000 students, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. 
4. The campus is primarily academic and residential, with classrooms, laboratories, and student housing integrated throughout the area. 

Timeline of Events: 

1. The shooting began on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at approximately 4:05 p.m.
2. It occurred inside Room 166 of the Barus & Holley Building, an academic building used by the engineering and physics departments.
3. Students were gathered in the room for final exams review session.
4. Eyewitnesses reported that as soon as the shooter entered the classroom he shouted something. The exact words were not clearly identified by witnesses.
5. Law enforcement has not confirmed what was said or whether the statement is relevant to motive or intent.
6. Shortly after entering the room, the shooter opened fire.
7. Students attempted to flee, hide, or take cover within the classroom.
8. Brown University issued emergency alerts instructing students and staff to shelter in place, lock doors, and avoid movement.
9. Campus and local law enforcement responded to the scene along with emergency medical personnel.
10. Multiple campus buildings were secured while police conducted searches to ensure there was no ongoing threat.
11. Two students were murdered in the shooting.

Ella Cook, age 19, a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama. Friends and community members described her as warm, compassionate, and deeply engaged in her campus and local communities. Her loss sent shockwaves across both Brown and her home church community, where she was remembered as a “bright light” whose presence uplifted others.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, age 18, a freshman originally from Uzbekistan. He was known for his incredible drive and ambition, with dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon. A goal shaped by his own experience surviving major surgery as a child. Family and friends spoke of his humility, kindness, and dedication to helping others.

12. Nine other students were critically injured and transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.
13. Their names and the details regarding the specific nature of injuries have not all been publicly released.
14. A person of interest was initially detained by law enforcement following the shooting.
15. That individual was later released after investigators determined there was insufficient evidence to hold them at that time.
16. As of the most recent public updates, no suspect has been formally identified or charged.
17. The investigation remains ongoing.
18. Brown University canceled remaining fall-semester classes and exams following the incident.
19. Counseling and mental health support services were made available to students, faculty, and staff.

Points to Consider 

Extreme violence can happen rapidly, sometimes with little or no warning. 

Based on what is publicly known, there is nothing to indicate that the students inside Room 166 had any advance notice of what was about to happen. The first indication of danger appears to have been the shooter entering the classroom and opening fire. 

This is the worst possible situation.
A shooter entering a classroom without any advance notice and opening fire. 

The threat closest to you is the greatest threat. In this case, the threat was standing inside the room, within feet of the victims. Once that happens, options narrow and survival becomes the focus. 

It is not known whether anyone attempted to physically confront the attacker. I don’t say this to judge or wag my finger. Research and experience show that only a very small percentage of people (1% or less) will physically confront a violent threat. 

That is not a failure but a normal human response to extreme danger. 

This must be stated clearly:
The only person responsible for this violence is the individual who pulled the trigger. He bears sole responsibility and everyone else is an innocent victim. 

I offer this as a warning to school leaders and not a critique of those pour souls inside classroom 166. 

We must do everything and anything to avoid this situation.
We must make our safety stronger.
We must identify threats early and act before danger arrives at the door.
We cannot allow a situation to escalate. 

The obligation is on us to recognize concerning behavior, respond, and put protective steps in place now so no one ever faces the absolute worst possible situation again…a shooter entering the classroom.