Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old Brown University student from Uzbekistan, was one of the two victims killed in Saturday’s campus shooting, and his sister described him as a gifted, kind-hearted young man with strong aspirations to help others. In a message confirming his death on a GoFundMe page, his sister Samira said he “was incredibly kind, funny, and smart” and had “big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people,” adding that he was her family’s “biggest role model in all aspects.” 

Umurzokov, a freshman majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience, had moved to the United States with his family, who became naturalized after immigrating from Uzbekistan, and was remembered by relatives for his compassionate nature and academic dedication. He decided early in life to pursue medicine after impactful experiences with surgery as a child, and his sisters noted he helped classmates with studying and supported newly arrived immigrant students. The American Uzbekistan Association also said his passing has “left an immeasurable void” in the hearts of his family, friends and the broader community. 

The shooting at Brown’s engineering building also killed fellow student Ella Cook and injured nine others, prompting a manhunt that has so far not yielded a suspect. Authorities have released surveillance footage and offered a reward as the university community and families grieve the loss of promising students and work to support the wounded and broader campus affected by the violence.