Campus Activity Before the Tragedy
On December 13th, 2025 students were frantically reviewing material. In the next two hours, they would be taking an economics final that would account for more than one-third of their final grade. Joseph Oduro, 21, had already completed his own degree a week earlier, but had remained in the university as a teacher’s assistant to help prepare the students for their final.
Among those students were Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, who showed up despite not being enrolled in the economics class. He had run into some friends and decided to join them in their review, planning to utilize the time to study for his own finals. Dozens of students, professors, and faculty members were present in the building, either studying or working.
Shots Fired
According to surveillance footage, the gunman, named Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, had been seen walking through a residential neighborhood near campus around 2 p.m. According to images and surveillance footage, Valente was seen walking around the campus around 10 a.m. He was seen dressed in all dark clothing, wearing a surgical mask.
At 4:03 p.m., he entered the first-floor lecture hall of the Barus and Holley building, which is home to the School of Engineering and Physics department. Just as the review session was ending, the gunman entered the room where he was estimated to have fired 40 rounds of bullets, shooting 11 people. The gunman was then seen exiting the building onto Hope Street at 4:07 p.m.
Twice a Survivor
For two Brown University students who experienced this horrifying shooting, it wasn’t their first time. Mia Tretta, a 21-year-old junior, had already survived a shooting during her time at Saugus High School, where she was shot at age 16 in 2019. The shooting at Saugus High School killed two of Tretta’s best friends and injured three other high school students.
Additionally, Zoe Weissman, a 20-year-old sophomore, had also experienced a shooting during her time at Westglades Middle School, which was adjacent to Majority Stoneman Douglas High School, where a shooter opened fire and took the lives of 17 students, in 2018. According to NBC News, this was Weissman’s response, “Once I knew a little bit more and I didn’t feel there was imminent danger, I felt numb–exactly how I did when I was 12”; Tretta’s response was also provided by NBC News, “No one in this country even assumes it’s going to happen to them. Once it happens to you, you assume or are told it will never happen again, and obviously that’s not the case”.
Aftermath
That afternoon, Brown University President Christina H. Paxson poignantly informed students that the shooting had taken the lives of two undergraduate students: Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov. Additionally, 9 other students were also shot.
Ella Cook, a sophomore, was regarded by her community as a brilliant and devoted student. Her interest piqued in math and French. She came to Brown University from Mountain Cook, Alabama. She was a competitive pianist and a volunteer leader for the Cathedral Church of the Advent. Moreover, she served as the Republican Club of Brown University’s vice president.
MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, a freshman, was regarded by his community as a curious and driven student. He had plans to become a neurosurgeon later on in his life. Umurzokov was a dual citizen from Uzbekistan. He graduated from Midlothian High School in Virginia. He served as president for his high school’s Model United Nations chapter. Furthermore, he also served as captain of the Scholastic Bowl Team.
In response to the shooting, Brown University has canceled all final exams to ensure that staff and students are allocated time to properly grieve and mourn their tragic loss. The community came together in the following days to organize a prayer service as well. There was also an in-person vigil held outside Memorial Church to honor the students. A local vigil, which was originally planned to be hosted to celebrate the holiday season, was converted to honor the victims and their families. On campus, students and families have created a memorial where members of the community have been leaving flowers, candles, and memorabilia.
Works Cited
Russell, Jenna, et al. “Brown University Students Were Prepping for an Exam. Then, a Gunman at the Classroom Door.” The New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/us/exam-review-brown-shooting.html.
Deliso, Meredith. “Timeline of the Brown University Mass Shooting and MIT Professor Slaying.” ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025, abcnews.go.com/US/timeline-brown-university-mass-shooting-mit-professor-slaying/story?id=128531611. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
“University Community Mourns the Loss of Two Beloved Brown Students.” Brown University, 19 Dec. 2025, www.brown.edu/news/2025-12-19/mourning-ella-cook-mukhammadaziz-umurzokov. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Romero, Dennis, and Sophie Comeau. “For Two Brown University Students, School Shooting Wasn’t Their First.” NBC News, 14 Dec. 2025, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-brown-university-students-school-shooting-was-not-first-rcna249080. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.