SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING AND COMMENDING FIRST RESPONDERS

S2001

2026 -- S 2001
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING AND
COMMENDING FIRST RESPONDERS

Introduced By:
Senators Lawson, Ciccone, Gallo, Tikoian, Bissaillon, LaMountain,
Britto, Mack, Lauria, and McKenney

Date Introduced:
January 06, 2026

Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, On Saturday afternoon, December 13, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., an
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act of unimaginable violence unfolded at Brown University when a gunman entered the Barus &
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Holley Building, home to the University’s School of Engineering and Department of Physics,
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shooting eleven people and taking the lives of two students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz
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Umurzokov; and
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WHEREAS, Ella Cook, an accomplished pianist studying French, mathematics, and
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economics, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a freshman who aspired to become a
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neurosurgeon, were taken far too soon in a senseless act that has left their families, friends, and
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the Brown University community in profound grief; and
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WHEREAS, In the moments immediately following the first shots, wounded students lay
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injured on Manning Walk as chaos spread across the campus, fear replaced routine, and members
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of the Brown University community fled for safety, uncertain of where danger lay; and
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WHEREAS, Providence firefighters and emergency medical personnel ran toward the
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wounded without hesitation, rendering aid under conditions of extreme uncertainty, even as
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gunfire continued nearby and the location of the shooter remained unknown; and
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WHEREAS, These firefighters worked swiftly and courageously to stop bleeding,
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stabilize victims, and remove the injured from harm’s way, exemplifying extraordinary
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composure, professionalism, and devotion to duty; and
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WHEREAS, Members of the Providence Fire Department responded under the leadership

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of Fire Chief Derek M. Silva, including Fire Captain Robert Cataldo, Lieutenant John Faria, and
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Firefighters Jay Vita and Zack Hannon, along with many others who placed themselves in harm’s
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way to save lives; and
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WHEREAS, Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies responded immediately
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and worked tirelessly in the hours and days that followed to identify the perpetrator and ensure
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public safety, under the leadership of Providence Police Chief Colonel Oscar Perez, Rhode Island
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State Police Superintendent Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, and their federal partners, including the
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Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
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and
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WHEREAS, Exceptional medical care was provided by doctors, nurses, and medical
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professionals, particularly at Rhode Island Hospital, where emergency protocols were swiftly
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implemented and the injured were treated with extraordinary skill, compassion, and resolve,
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resulting in the survival of those wounded; and
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WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island was served with steadiness and integrity by its
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elected leadership, including Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Attorney General Peter
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Neronha, who worked continuously to support emergency responders, keep the public informed,
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and provide reassurance during a time of fear and uncertainty; and
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WHEREAS, The people of Rhode Island and around the world have the right to be secure
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in their homes, schools, and communities, and this Senate condemns this and all senseless acts of
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violence that shatter lives and undermine that fundamental security; and
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WHEREAS, To the parents and families who face the unimaginable loss of a child, the
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people of Rhode Island mourn with you and stand beside you in grief and remembrance; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors the memory
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and lives of Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, extends its deepest condolences to
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their families and to all those injured and traumatized by the Brown University shooting, and
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affirms its solidarity with the Brown University community; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island commends and honors the
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courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of the firefighters, emergency medical personnel,
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law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and public servants who responded with
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humanity, professionalism, and resilience under extraordinary and dangerous circumstances; and
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be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the families of Ella Cook and Mukhammad

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Aziz Umurzokov; the Honorable Brett P. Smiley, Mayor of the City of Providence; Attorney
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General Peter Neronha; Colonel Oscar Perez, Chief of the Providence Police Department; Chief
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Derek M. Silva of the Providence Fire Department; and Colonel Darnell S. Weaver,
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Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
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