Ella Cook named as first victim in Brown University shooting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University sophomore Ella Cook, 19, has been identified as one of the two students killed in Saturday’s mass shooting on the school’s campus.

Cook, who began studying at Brown in 2024, was remembered as a “bright light” during a church service Sunday at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama. She was involved in campus life and served as vice president of Brown University’s College Republicans club.

The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon inside the Barus and Holley engineering building during a finals review session. One other student was killed, and nine others were injured. One victim remains in critical condition, while the others are reported to be stable, and one has been treated and released.

Authorities say a man previously detained as a person of interest has since been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.