SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Mountain Brook, Alabama, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national who dreamed of becoming a surgeon, were killed in a shooting at Brown University on Dec. 13. Political leaders across party lines have expressed condolences as the campus and their families mourn the loss. (Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Vice President J.D. Vance was among those honoring Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Mountain Brook, calling her a courageous young leader. In a social media post, Vance said it took “special courage” for Cook to lead a conservative student organization on a predominantly liberal campus, adding that the country had lost “one of its bright young stars.”
Leaders from both political parties in Alabama echoed those sentiments. U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, Barry Moore, and Gary Palmer all issued statements expressing condolences to the families and calling for prayers for the Brown University community. Their responses reflected rare bipartisan unity in the wake of tragedy.
Cook was one of two students killed Saturday afternoon when a gunman opened fire shortly after 4 p.m. inside a classroom in the Barus and Holley Engineering Building, as students were preparing for final exams. Nine others were injured in the attack.
A graduate of Mountain Brook High School, Cook previously worked at the Mountain Brook Creamery before enrolling at Brown. She was identified by College Republicans of America as the vice president of Brown’s College Republicans chapter, where she was remembered as a bold and compassionate leader.
“Ella was known for her brave and kind heart,” said Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America. “Our prayers are with her family, her chapter, and the entire campus as they begin to heal.”
The second victim was identified as MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national described by Vance as “a brilliant young man who dreamed of being a surgeon.” He urged Americans to pray for all those affected, especially as the holiday season approaches.
According to law enforcement, the shooter fled the scene on foot, with surveillance footage showing a suspect dressed in black running away from the building. A person of interest was briefly detained but later released. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not identified a suspect or released a motive.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also expressed condolences, saying there were “no words” for the loss and offering prayers for the victims’ families.
As investigators continue their work, the tragedy has drawn bipartisan compassion and national attention — underscoring that in moments of profound loss, grief transcends politics.
