The Brown University Shooting: Many Sources Point to Antisemitic and Jihadist Motives

Alleged Suspect in Brown University Shooting - Photo released by Providence PD

On December 13, 2025, a tragic mass shooting unfolded at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, during the second day of final exams, claiming the lives of at least two students and wounding nine others. The attack occurred in a classroom within the Barus & Holley building, specifically in a Judaic Studies course taught by Professor Rachel Friedberg, who has a Jewish background and has taught in Israel. This detail has fueled speculation about an antisemitic motive, particularly amid reports claiming the shooter yelled "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire. These claims, if substantiated, would strongly suggest a jihadist-inspired act of terrorism targeting Jewish individuals or institutions.

Official investigations, led by the FBI in collaboration with local police and the ATF, have not confirmed any motive or the specific words yelled by the shooter, describing the incident primarily as a mass shooting. However, the reports of "Allahu Akbar"—a phrase often associated with jihadist attacks—originate from unverified eyewitness accounts shared on social media and amplified by figures like investigative journalist Laura Loomer. Loomer and others allege a cover-up, suggesting that Democratic officials and the FBI instructed personnel to avoid terms like "Muslim" or "Islamic terror" in communications, with witnesses hesitant to speak out due to fears of being labeled Islamophobic. Counterclaims on social media dismiss these as baseless rumors, with no credible evidence from official sources as of December 14, 2025. The university's president, Christina Paxson, faced criticism for her evasive responses during a press conference, where she claimed ignorance about key details like the classroom's activity, further stoking suspicions of deliberate withholding to downplay the possibility of antisemitic or terrorist angles.

Brown University is known to have surveillance cameras widely spread across the campus; approximately 800 cameras. To date only limited footage has been released showing the back of an alleged suspect walking briskly away from the scene. The lack of additional footage being released is fueling more speculation regarding a possible cover-up. The lack of additional footage being released could simply be because of the on-going investigation by the FBI and local authorities.

A person of interest, Benjamin Erickson—a 24-year-old former U.S. Army member with past mental health issues—was briefly detained but released without charges on December 14, as he was no longer considered a suspect. His profile does not align with typical jihadist actors, shifting focus back to unconfirmed reports of an Islamist perpetrator. Some online discussions frame the incident as part of a broader wave of antisemitic violence, potentially linked ideologically to global jihadist movements, especially given its timing near Jewish holidays like Hanukkah. Conspiracy theories, including claims of false flags, have emerged but lack evidence. As the shooter remains at large, the possibility of jihad terrorism rooted in antisemitism persists as a key investigative thread, though unsubstantiated by authorities as of December 14, 2025.

Update December 15, 2025 - Left Wing Motives?

The mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 13, 2025, during final exams in the Barus & Holley building, resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries. The victims who were killed have been identified as Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Virginia and vice president of the university's Republican Club, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old man from Virginia. Cook was remembered by friends and family as a "bright light," while Umurzokov's family has requested privacy amid ongoing notifications. The nine injured victims include survivors with prior experiences in school shootings, such as one from a California incident and another near the Parkland shooting; their conditions range from stable to critical, but specific names have not been released to respect privacy.

Regarding the suspect, the shooter remains at large, with the manhunt renewed after a person of interest—a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin—was detained briefly on December 14 and released without charges later that day, as evidence pointed elsewhere. Authorities, including the Providence Police, FBI, and ATF, are actively searching, going door-to-door for additional surveillance footage and reviewing tips submitted via a dedicated FBI website. The suspect is described as a male in dark clothing, possibly in his 30s, seen calmly walking away in grainy videos released by police. No motive has been confirmed, though unverified reports suggest potential antisemitic ties given the classroom's focus on Judaic Studies.

Regarding the lack of video from the university's approximately 800 cameras—one of the most surveilled areas in Rhode Island—questions persist about why more internal footage hasn't been released or utilized. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez has been evasive in press conferences, stating only that they've "shared what we have" and are seeking more from private sources like neighborhood doorbells and businesses, while knocking on doors for additional clips. Critics and media have highlighted potential gaps in coverage inside academic buildings, such as no cameras in classrooms for privacy reasons, or that existing systems may not have captured clear evidence. Despite recent releases of grainy external videos showing the suspect casing the area beforehand, the absence of comprehensive internal footage has fueled speculation about campus security shortcomings or investigative withholding to avoid compromising the probe. The university has not commented specifically on the camera system's limitations, deferring to law enforcement.

Details on Benjamin Ericson

The previous person of interest in the Brown University shooting, Benjamin Erickson (a 24-year-old from Wisconsin who was detained briefly on December 14, 2025, and released without charges), has been described in reports as having left-leaning or progressive political affiliations. Public records show he registered to vote in Washington, D.C., in 2023 under the "Statehood" affiliation, which refers to the DC Statehood Green Party—a progressive group emphasizing social justice, environmental issues, civil rights, and DC statehood. His LinkedIn profile highlights interests in social justice, gender equity, animal welfare, refugee support, and veteran aid, aligning with left-leaning causes. An old X (formerly Twitter) account associated with him reportedly included criticisms of the political right and Christianity. In Wisconsin (his home state), his 2020 voter record listed a "military" affiliation, with no formal Democratic registration noted. Some social media speculation labeled him a Trump supporter or MAGA-aligned, but these claims are unsubstantiated and contradicted by the available records. Authorities have emphasized that Erickson is no longer a suspect, and the shooter remains at large.

Reports on Victim Ella Cook's Conservative Affiliation

Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Virginia and one of the two fatalities in the shooting, was indeed a prominent conservative on campus. She served as vice president of the Brown University College Republicans, a role that made her a visible leader in conservative activism at the predominantly liberal Ivy League institution. Friends, family, and tributes describe her as a "devoted Christian and committed conservative" from Birmingham, Alabama, who brought "light" to those around her. Reports and social media discussions highlight that conservatives like Cook are a small minority at Brown, with one estimate suggesting only about 0.8% of the student body (around 92 out of 11,500) identifies as "very conservative." Some online speculation suggests the attack may have been politically motivated or targeted due to her conservatism, but this remains unconfirmed by authorities, who have not established a motive.

Previous Reports of Conservative Students at Brown University Expressing Fear

There are recent pre-shooting reports (from November 2025) based on a poll conducted by The Brown Daily Herald indicating that conservative students at Brown University expressed significant fear or discomfort in sharing their political beliefs publicly. The poll, which surveyed 1,018 undergraduates (about 14% of the student body) between October 14 and 18, 2025, revealed a campus environment where political expression can lead to social ostracism or backlash, particularly for those with conservative views. Key findings include:

• Only 6.1% of respondents identified as conservative (1.3% "very conservative" and 4.8% "somewhat conservative"), highlighting their minority status on the predominantly liberal campus.

Sources

1. PBS NewsHour: "Brown University student says there's still 'fear in the air' as hunt for gunman continues" - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/brown-university-student-says-theres-still-fear-in-the-air-as-hunt-for-gunman-continues

2. The New Yorker: "A Shooting at Brown" - https://www.newyorker.com/news/essay/a-shooting-at-brown-university

3. CNN: "New FBI description of Brown shooting suspect: 5'8' with 'stocky build'" - https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/15/us/video/ac360-brown-manhunt-miller-mccabe

4. The New York Times: "Brown University Shooting Live Updates: Police Release New Video" - https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12/15/us/brown-shooting

5. Brown University President: "To Parents and Families: A tragic day for our community" - https://president.brown.edu/president/parents-and-families-tragic-day-our-community

6. ABC News (YouTube): "Officials provide new videos in search for gunman in deadly Brown shooting" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obVyNKX3LpI

7. BBC: "Two victims named as hunt resumes for Brown University gunman" - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg9ll6jpl0o

8. ABC News: "Brown University students identified as victims in campus shooting" - https://abcnews.go.com/US/bright-light-brown-university-student-identified-shooting-victim/story?id=128403441

9. NBC Boston: "Live updates: 2025 Brown University shooting, manhunt" - https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/brown-university-shooting-live-stream-updates/3861360/