‘An incredible light’: Christian conservative identified as one murder victim in Brown University shooting
A conservative Christian woman from Alabama has been identified as one of the two fatalities from Saturday’s shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left at least nine others wounded.
Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore at Brown, was a parishioner at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, where Rev. Craig Smalley made the announcement during his Sunday service.
“Some of you haven’t heard, a lot of you have heard … [about] the tragedy yesterday at Brown University, the shooting of a number of people,” Smalley said.. “Tragically, one of our parishioners, Ella Cook, was one of those who was killed yesterday.”
He said Cook “encouraged and lift[ed] up those around her.”
“And those of you who knew her, those of you who know her, she was an incredible grounded faithful bright light … at Brown University, she was an incredible light in that particular place as well.”
NEW: Brown University sophomore Ella Cook, identified as one of the shooting victims, was “a devoted Christian and a committed conservative.”
The announcement was made during a service at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama.
“Some of you haven’t heard a lot of… pic.twitter.com/iSHUKodhZy
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 15, 2025
Alabama Gov. Will Ainsworth said, “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.”
Ella Cook, a sophomore student from Birmingham, was killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday. 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…
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) December 15, 2025
Cook was vice president of the Brown University College Republicans, which said it was “devastated” by her loss.
“Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her classmates,” the group said.
Official Statement on the loss of Brown University College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook. pic.twitter.com/IJoQsvyOsI
— College Republicans of America (@uscollegegop) December 15, 2025
William Branson Donahue, founder and chairman of College Republicans of America, said: “I am filled with rage and sadness to learn that our Brown College Republicans VP, Ella Cook, has been identified as one of the victims from the attack. I’m told she was allegedly targeted for her conservative beliefs, hunted, and killed in cold blood.
“Losing Charlie [Kirk] three months ago rocked our worlds. The entire College Republicans community is weeping this evening learning of the news. This was an attack on our family.”
Journalist Benny Johnson said: “She was brutally killed by a shooter in what appears to be a targeted political attack. If you still don’t see what’s happening, you haven’t been paying attention.”
He then posted a long list of recent political violence, saying:
“Just this year alone:
– Tricia McLaughlin threatened with public execution
– Two National Guard troops shot in DC
– The seditious six Democrats claiming President Trump telling the military to not follow orders
– Jay Jones openly fantasizing about murdering Republicans and their children wins election in Virginia
– President Trump experiencing two assassination attempts
– Charlie Kirk assassinated on live TV, the left celebrated
– Attacks on ICE officers have skyrocketed over 1000%
– LA Riots and terror attacks
– Leftist sniper murders three at ICE facility in Texas
– Massive violent riots at ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois and Portland Oregon
– Annunciation Catholic Church children shot while praying by left wing Trump-hating transgender activist
– ABC News stations shot up
– Alina Habba attacked
– Ed Martin Attacked
– Rogue judges releasing career criminals back onto the streets, terrorizing Americans
“The left’s violent rhetoric has turned into nationwide violence. If we don’t crush this threat now, we lose everything. It’s only escalating. Enough is enough.”
The perpetrator in the Brown shooting is still at large, and authorities have released a person of interest who was being questioned.
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