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One of two people killed in the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, December 13 has been identified
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Ella Cook, a 19-year-old student, was identified as one of the victims by the Rev. Craig Smalley during a ceremony at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Pastor Craig Smalley describes Cook as ‘a bright light’
One of the two victims of the Brown University mass shooting has been identified.
Ella Cook, a 19-year-old Brown University student, was identified as the victim of the Dec. 13 shooting. Her name was announced on Sunday, December 14, during a church service at the Cathedral of Adventism in Birmingham, Alabama, where she also attended.
The church’s pastor, Craig Smalley, described Cook as a “bright light” when speaking of his death during a service broadcast live on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of the people who was killed yesterday,” Smalley said. “She was incredible, down-to-earth, loyal, a bright light. Not only growing up here … she encouraged and inspired those around her, but also at Brown. She was an incredible light. [there] Too. “
An emotional Smalley urged the congregation to pray for Cook’s family during this difficult time. Advent Cathedral and Brown University have been contacted for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Guan Bing/AFP Getty Images
A view of University Auditorium on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 14, 2025.
At about 4 pm local time on December 13, a gunman broke into an engineering building at Brown University and opened fire. Cook was one of the two people killed in the Brown University shooting. Nine other people were injured in the attack.
According to her LinkedIn page, Cook will begin studying at Brown University in 2024 and plans to complete her degree in 2028.
Advent Cathedral Facebook
Advent Cathedral
Although the Providence Police Department detained a man they initially identified as a “person of interest,” the man has been released due to a lack of evidence. “There is no basis to consider him a suspect,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.
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In an open letter published by Brown on Sunday, the college responded, “As Providence police continue to lead this investigation, they have informed Brown that they are continuing search efforts, which include ongoing coordination with multiple agencies.”
“…We understand that this update may raise many questions. This remains an active police investigation and the University must defer to the Providence Police Department to release information as they deem appropriate…We will continue to make every effort to ensure the safety of our campus…” the college concluded.
Read the original article on People
