Brown University Shooting Claims Life of Young Republican Leader Ella Cook

A churchgoing young Republican leader was among the victims killed during a shooting at Brown University on Saturday.

Ella Cook, a Brown sophomore from Alabama and vice president of the Brown College Republicans, was identified as one of two people killed when a gunman opened fire in the Barus & Holley Engineering and Physics Building during final exams. Authorities reported nine others were injured; police have not announced a motive, and a person of interest detained Sunday was later released.

The College Republicans of America confirmed Cook’s death in a statement mourning “the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook,” describing her as “bold, brave, and kind” and asking for prayers for her family, the campus, and the Brown chapter.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reacted publicly on Monday, writing: “There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.”

Cook’s faith was central to her life. She was a parishioner at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, where Rev. Craig Smalley announced her death during a Sunday service. Smalley described Cook as “incredibly grounded and generous and faithful — a bright light” in both her church community and at Brown University.

Brown University President Christina H. Paxson called the shooting a “deeply tragic day” and stated there were “truly no words” to express the sorrow.

As families grapple with another campus tragedy, the public continues to demand answers about how a gunman was able to bring terror into an exam setting. In Providence, authorities noted that evidence had led the investigation in a different direction, and the shooter remained at large. The released detainee would not face charges at this time.

As the manhunt continues, Cook is being remembered as a young woman of conviction — rooted in faith, active in her community, and willing to lead.