Brown University Shooting Update: Botched Investigation, Selective Mourning, and Unanswered Questions in Deadly Campus Attack (December 2025)

Three days after the tragic mass shooting at Brown University's Barus and Holley building on December 13, 2025, the manhunt for the masked gunman continues with no arrests and mounting criticism of the investigation's handling. Two students—Ella Cook, vice president of the Brown College Republicans, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov—were killed, while nine others were injured during a finals review session. As details emerge, concerns grow over delayed responses, withheld information, and potential ideological biases influencing the probe and campus reaction.

This incident, occurring amid heightened campus tensions, raises serious questions about security failures, motive suppression, and selective outrage in a politically charged environment.

The Attack: What Happened in Barus and Holley

The shooting erupted around 4 p.m. in Room 166, a large lecture hall where students gathered for an economics exam review.

• A masked individual in dark clothing entered and opened fire.

• Victims included Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Alabama described as a "bright light" and bold conservative leader, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman aspiring to be a neurosurgeon.

• Authorities describe the suspect as a stocky male, approximately 5'8", with limited surveillance footage released despite Brown's extensive camera network (over 800 cameras on campus).

The building has a history of antisemitic vandalism, including swastikas carved into walls as recently as 2022 and earlier incidents dating back years—red flags that critics say were ignored amid ongoing campus controversies.

Investigation Fumbles and Public Outrage

The probe has faced intense scrutiny:

• A person of interest was detained early Sunday but released hours later, with officials admitting evidence "points in a different direction."

• Providence police and Mayor Brett Smiley have been accused of downplaying the incident, with limited suspect details (no gender confirmation even 72 hours later, only "light-skinned and stocky").

• Reports claim local authorities initially resisted FBI involvement, though federal agents are now assisting with a $50,000 reward offered.

• Blurry new footage provides little clarity, fueling frustration over the lack of progress despite abundant campus surveillance.

Social media and commentators highlight perceived nonchalance, including delays in alerts and vague press conferences, prompting questions: What is being hidden?

Unconfirmed Reports of Motive and Campus Reaction

Witness accounts circulating on social media and conservative outlets allege the shooter shouted "Allahu Akbar" before firing—a claim echoed by multiple sources but neither confirmed nor denied by authorities. Officials have refused to disclose any statements made by the gunman or potential motives.

Adding to the controversy:

• Pro-Palestine student organizations have prominently promoted GoFundMe campaigns for victim Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov (raising significant funds), while reportedly ignoring or not acknowledging Ella Cook.

• This selective mourning has drawn accusations of ideological bias on a campus known for intense pro-Palestine activism and recent antisemitism allegations.

Emerging Person of Interest: Mustapha Kharbouch and Brown's Rapid Digital Scrub

As the official investigation stalls, online researchers and citizen journalists have zeroed in on a compelling person of interest: Brown University student Mustapha Kharbouch.

Internet sleuths analyzing newly released surveillance footage noted that Kharbouch's physical build—described as stocky, around 5'8"—closely matches the suspect's description. Comparisons of gait, posture, and body type from public videos and photos have fueled widespread speculation on social media platforms.

Kharbouch was previously featured prominently on Brown's official website:

• Highlighted for his internship and academic work.

• Authored pieces containing language that critics now describe as "subtle and alarming," including phrases like "unyielding until freedom"—interpreted by some as echoing radical rhetoric tied to pro-Palestine extremism.

Shortly after his name began circulating as a potential suspect, observers noticed that all traces of Kharbouch vanished from Brown's digital presence:

• His profile, research papers, and mentions were removed from department and university pages.

• Links that previously led to his work now return 404 errors or have been redirected.

• His X (formerly Twitter) account was deleted or set to private, with archived posts reportedly showing strong pro-Palestine activism and criticism of Israel.

This rapid "digital scrubbing" has ignited accusations of a cover-up. Critics question why a prestigious institution like Brown would erase a student's public academic footprint amid an active manhunt—especially if the individual is unrelated to the shooting. The timing raises suspicions that the university is attempting to distance itself from a potentially embarrassing or ideologically inconvenient connection.

While authorities have not confirmed Kharbouch as a suspect or person of interest, the lack of official denial—combined with the website takedown—has only amplified calls for transparency. In an era of campus radicalism and unchecked activism, many are asking: Is Brown protecting its reputation at the expense of justice for Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov?

This development adds another layer to an already botched investigation, reinforcing perceptions that ideology may be trumping truth in Providence.

Broader Context: Ideological Extremism and Campus Safety in 2025

The shooting fits into a troubling 2025 pattern of leftist violence and ideologically driven attacks targeting conservatives, law enforcement, and institutions. Ella Cook's prominent role as a conservative leader on a liberal campus has amplified speculation of targeted political violence, especially given the building's vandalism history and unchecked radical rhetoric.

As the manhunt enters its fourth day, calls intensify for transparency, full FBI leadership, and condemnation of extremism that may have contributed to this tragedy.

Stay updated on Brown University shooting investigation updates, Ella Cook murder motive, campus antisemitism Brown, leftist violence 2025, and Providence police Brown shooting criticism for developments.

The loss of two promising young lives demands answers—not evasion. Justice for Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov requires uncovering the full truth, no matter the implications.