“Ella was never afraid to share her beliefs on an overwhelmingly liberal campus and support others in doing so.”
Sophomore Ella Cook of Alabama has been identified as one of the two victims who was murdered during a mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon. She was attending a study review session for an economics class when a gunman burst through the door and opened fire. Two students were killed and nine others were injured.
In a post, former Brown student Alex Shieh said she was “still in shock over the new from Brown University.” Both of those killed and all of those injured were students.
“And it broke my heart to learn that Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, is no longer with us,” she said. “I knew Ella through Brown Republicans, where she was vice president. Being a conservative at Brown isn’t always the easiest, but Ella was never afraid to share her beliefs on an overwhelmingly liberal campus and support others in doing so.
“Last spring, while I was under a disciplinary investigation for reporting on Brown’s administration for the conservative student paper, almost nobody wanted to be associated with me. Ella was one of the few who were willing to stand with me in public and help hand out newspapers in front of the dining hall.
“Everyone at Brown who knew Ella, regardless of their politics, found her to be friendly and kind. My thoughts are with Ella’s family. Ella was a promising young leader taken too soon.”
The Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Ala. spoke about Cook. “Some of you haven’t heard, a lot of you have heard the tragedy yesterday at Brown University, the shooting of a number of people,” the church said.
“Tragically one of our parishioners Ella Cook was one of those who was killed yesterday. And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible grounded faithful bright light.. not only here growing up here at the advent in the myriad ways in which she served faithfully and the ways in which she encouraged and lift up those around her, but at Brown University she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.”
“Ella Cook, a sophomore student from Birmingham, was killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday,” said Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth. “Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama. A bright future was ended much too soon. Join me in lifting up her family in prayers of comfort.”
A man was detained in connection with the shooting. Benjamin Erickson, 24, of Wisconsin. He has since been released.
Erickson’s social media indicates that he has an interest in gender equity and support for refugees and migrants.