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.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.