Crime
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov identified as second victim killed in Brown University shooting
Providence, R.I. — Authorities and family members have identified Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov as the second victim killed in Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University, an attack that has left the campus and multiple communities across the country in mourning.
MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, remembered by loved ones as exceptionally kind, intelligent, and selfless, was fatally shot on December 13 during the incident inside an engineering building on Brown’s campus.
Family members described him as a young man with extraordinary ambition and compassion, who dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon so he could dedicate his life to helping others.
“He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart,” his family said in a public statement. “He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew. He continues to be our biggest role model in every aspect of life.”
Those who knew Umurzokov said he carried himself with humility, discipline, and quiet generosity, earning deep respect from classmates, friends, and members of the broader community.
His sharp intellect and curiosity were matched by a genuine concern for others, traits that reflected both his character and the values instilled in him by his family and cultural community.
More than a gifted student, Umurzokov was a beloved son, brother, and friend, whose life was filled with promise and potential.
His death has left what family members described as an immeasurable void, not only within their household but also among friends, classmates, and the Uzbek American community nationwide.
In a statement, the American Uzbekistan Association extended its deepest condolences to Umurzokov’s family, expressing solidarity during what it called “a time of unimaginable grief,” and thanking those who have offered prayers and messages of support.
MukhammadAziz Umurzokov will be remembered for his kindness, his aspirations, and the light he brought into the lives of others.
His family has announced that any donations made in his memory will help cover funeral and related expenses, with remaining funds to be donated to charity in his name.
The other victim killed in the shooting has been identified as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, according to her church and university officials.
Cook was a parishioner at Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham, where she was remembered as an “incredible, grounded, faithful bright light” who consistently uplifted those around her.
During Sunday morning services, Rev. Craig Smalley told congregants that Cook’s presence had a profound impact both at her church and at Brown University.
“She was an incredible, grounded, faithful bright light,” Smalley said. “In the ways she served faithfully, encouraged others, and lifted up those around her — both here at the Advent and at Brown University — she was an incredible light in that place as well.”
The shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday inside an engineering building during one of the busiest times of the academic year, as final exams were underway. In addition to the two fatalities, nine people were wounded.
University officials said one student has been released from the hospital, seven remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, and one victim is in critical condition.
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said Sunday afternoon that no one has been charged, and the investigation remains active.
A person of interest, Benjamin Warren Erickson, who was detained at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, approximately 20 miles from Providence, has since been released after investigators determined he was not involved.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha acknowledged that initial evidence appeared to point toward Erickson but later proved incorrect. “Sometimes you head in one direction and then you have to regroup and go in another,” Neronha said. He also criticized the premature public release of Erickson’s name, calling it “really unfortunate” and noting the difficulty of reversing such damage once information is made public.
Authorities emphasized that the gunman remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing. No further details about the suspect or victims have been released at this time.
As Brown University and the wider community continue to grieve, tributes continue to pour in for MukhammadAziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, two young lives remembered for their compassion, promise, and lasting impact.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.