Family Identifies ‘Bright and Promising’ Student as Victim of Brown University Shooting: ‘He Had Big Dreams’

Authorities have identified the second person killed in Saturday’s mass shooting at Brown University.

Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov was named by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement shared Monday on Telegram, according to NBC News.

“The loss of innocent lives as a result of this tragedy is a heavy loss for all of us,” the ministry wrote in the post, NBC reported.

Umurzokov’s aunt also confirmed his death to NBC News, saying she learned what happened when the student’s mother called her “in the middle of the night.”

“He was very kind, smart. Attended talented and gifted schools,” the aunt told the outlet. She added that her nephew had long been drawn to medicine — inspired, she said, by undergoing an “eight-hours-long” brain surgery when he was 10. “We hoped that he would have had a bright future,” she said.

His family also identified him in a GoFundMe fundraiser established to help cover funeral costs. In the fundraiser, family member Samira Umurzokova described him as “incredibly kind, funny, and smart,” adding that he dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping others.

“Our family is incredibly devastated by this loss,” she wrote.

The American Uzbekistan Association also paid tribute in a post on Monday, calling Umurzokov “a bright and promising Uzbek American student” known for his intelligence, compassion, and willingness to support others.

“He carried himself with humility and compassion, earning the respect and affection of those around him,” the association wrote, adding that his death has left “an immeasurable void” for those who knew him.

The other victim, Ella Cook, was identified Sunday. Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore, was named during a church service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, where she attended.

“Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday,” the church’s Rev. Craig Smalley said during the service, which was streamed online. He described her as “an incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light,” adding that she brought that same presence to Brown University.

Police have not yet announced an arrest in connection with the shooting. Authorities have said they took a person of interest into custody, but that individual was later released.

Investigators say the shooting happened around 4 p.m. local time on Dec. 13, when a gunman entered an engineering building on campus and opened fire. Nine others were injured.

As of Sunday morning, a Brown University Health spokesperson told NBC News that one injured person remained in critical condition. Six others were described as critical but stable. Two more were stabilized, and another had been discharged.