Brown University’s NPHC Releases Statement Following Fatal Campus Shooting

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at Brown University has released an official statement following a tragic shooting that occurred on campus Saturday afternoon.

According to university officials, the shooting took place shortly after 4 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 13, inside a first-floor classroom in the Barus and Holley Building, which houses Brown University’s engineering and physics departments. Two students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Umurzokov, were killed in the attack, and nine additional students were critically wounded.

In its statement, the Brown University NPHC extended condolences to the families of the two students who lost their lives and expressed support for those who were injured, emphasizing the profound impact the incident has had on the campus community. The council described the loss of two classmates to gun violence as “deplorable” and reaffirmed its condemnation of violence in all forms.

The NPHC also addressed the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on students, noting the importance of resisting desensitization to acts of violence and instead remaining committed to community care, unity, and healing. While acknowledging that the individual responsible for the shooting has been identified, the council emphasized that the work of healing is only beginning.

In its message, the NPHC reaffirmed its commitment to rebuilding a sense of safety and belonging for students, pledging to continue creating spaces where members of the Brown community can process grief, support one another, and feel at home again on campus. The council encouraged students to lean on their respective organizations and to reach out for support during this period of mourning.

The statement concluded with a call for reflection and resilience, reminding the community that strength is not found in the absence of fear, but in the refusal to allow tragedy to define them. The NPHC also urged supporters to consider donating to verified fundraisers listed in the Linktree shared with the statement to assist the families of the victims and those who were critically injured.

Read the full statement below: