U.S. authorities continue to search for the shooter in the incident at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, which occurred last Saturday, resulting in at least two deaths and eight injuries.
The victims are a young woman from Birmingham, Alabama, named Ella Cook, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a student from Uzbekistan.
The Reverend Craig Smalley of the Advent Cathedral in Birmingham announced Cook's death during a mass yesterday, describing the parishioner as an "incredible, sensible, faithful, and brilliant light."
Aziz's family describes him on the GoFundMe platform as a "kind, fun, and intelligent" person. "He dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon," the description says.
"He always helped everyone who needed it and was the kindest person our family has ever known," his relatives noted.
Meanwhile, authorities continue their search for the shooter after releasing a preliminary suspect yesterday.
At a press conference, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez explained that they followed "a specific lead" but, after examining all the evidence, concluded that the detainee was not the shooter.
"The investigation will tell us if something is valid or not, or if we need to discard something. It's not a mistake; that's how investigations work," he added.
In turn, Rhode Island's Attorney General, Peter Neronha, stated that he has been in his position "long enough to know that sometimes you go in one direction and then have to regroup and take another": "That's exactly what has happened in the last 24 hours."
However, the authorities noted that the video posted on their social media, showing a suspect walking on the sidewalk in a dark coat and hat, remains valid.
Additionally, they said they are looking for more videos and images from security cameras that could serve as a clue to find the perpetrator.
Thus, the Providence Police clarified on their X profile that the investigation "remains active" and emphasized that "no specific threats against our community" have been received since the shooting.
Meanwhile, the university reiterated today on X that it is "doing its utmost" to ensure the safety of its members and recommended that students and staff exercise caution in their activities on campus.
In a message posted on its website last night, the center also stressed that essential personnel—meaning employees whose services "must be performed 'on-site'"—are required to report to their jobs.
