Crime
Ella Cook identified as one of the two victims killed in Brown University shooting
Providence, R.I. — One of the victims killed in Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University has been publicly identified as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, according to her church and university community.
Cook, a member of Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham, is being remembered as a deeply faithful, compassionate, and uplifting presence whose impact extended well beyond the classroom.
Church leaders confirmed that Cook was among the two people fatally shot when a gunman opened fire inside an engineering building on Brown’s campus Saturday afternoon.
Speaking during Sunday morning services, Rev. Craig Smalley described Cook as a “bright light” whose character and kindness left a lasting impression on those around her.
“Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday,” Smalley told the congregation. “Those of you who knew her know she was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light — not only here at the Advent, in the many ways she served and encouraged others, but also at Brown University, where she was an incredible light in that community as well.”
Smalley urged parishioners to keep Cook’s family, friends, and the wider Brown University community in their prayers as they mourn the loss.
The shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday inside a campus engineering building, at a time when final examinations were underway — one of the busiest periods of the academic year.
In addition to the two fatalities, nine students were wounded. University officials said seven victims remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, one is in critical condition, and one student has been treated and released.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said Sunday that no charges have been filed and that the investigation remains active.
He declined to comment on whether a previously detained individual had any connection to Brown University.
Authorities confirmed that a person of interest, Benjamin Warren Erickson, who was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 20 miles from Providence, has since been released.
Mayor Brett Smiley and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said investigators initially pursued leads that appeared to point to Erickson, but those leads later proved incorrect.
“There was some degree of evidence that pointed to this individual,” Neronha said, “but that evidence now points in a different direction.” He also acknowledged the serious consequences of the premature disclosure of Erickson’s name, calling it “really unfortunate” and noting that such information is difficult to retract once made public.
Law enforcement emphasized that Erickson is not believed to be involved, and that the gunman remains at large.
Officials have not released additional details about the suspect or the victims, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
As Brown University continues to grapple with the aftermath of the attack, tributes to Ella Cook have poured in from classmates, faculty, and members of her church community, all describing a young woman whose faith, warmth, and generosity of spirit touched many lives.
University and local officials said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.