Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, a freshman from Richmond-area suburb Midlothian, was one of two shooting victims killed in the December 13 shooting at Brown University, The Washington Post reported.
The shooting happened in a classroom where students were gathered for an economics class study session. A gunman entered and opened fire on the room, killing two people and injuring nine more.
Umurzokov’s sisters told The Post that their brother was an 18-year-old freshman double-majoring in biochemistry and neuroscience. He was in the classroom to spend time with friends and was sitting in the front row.
He had been a straight-A student at Midlothian High School, where he took AP classes and participated in Model UN, Quiz Bowl, and debate. He aspired to become a brain surgeon after a childhood condition required him to have brain surgery, they said.
“He was incredibly kind, funny, and smart. He had big dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people. He continues to be my family’s biggest role model in all aspects. He always lent a helping hand to anyone in need without hesitation, and was the most kind-hearted person our family knew,” his family said in a GoFundMe post.
Umurzokov’s family moved to Midlothian in 2011 from Brooklyn. Two years before that, they had immigrated from Uzbekistan and all became U.S. citizens, according to The Washington Post.
The other Brown University student killed has been identified as sophomore Ella Cook from Alabama. Cook was the vice president of Brown’s College Republicans chapter and a member of Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama.
Feature image of Brown University, Tupungato/stock.adobe.com
