A Brown University freshman has described the moment he was shot in the back as a study session turned into chaos during the campus gunfire that left two students dead and nine others wounded.
Jacob Spears told CBS News he was preparing to leave a study session in an engineering building on Saturday when the shooting erupted, forcing students to flee for their lives.
Why It Matters
The account provides a firsthand view of the violence that struck an Ivy League campus, underscoring the human toll of shootings and the lasting trauma faced by survivors as authorities continue searching for the assailant.
What To Know
Spears, a freshman studying applied mathematics and computer science, said he had attended a study session in the Barus & Holley engineering building after eating earlier in the day. When the session ended and students stood up to leave, the shooting began, according to his interview with CBS News.
At first, Spears said, he was confused by what was happening before realizing there was an active shooter. He began to run but was struck in the back by a bullet.
“He got me in the back,” Spears told the broadcaster, saying adrenaline helped him keep moving. “I was able to get up and run, even with the shot.”
Spears said a father and son helped him outside the building, applying pressure to his wound. He then called 911 and contacted his family while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. He said he focused on breathing as first responders treated him and transported him to the hospital, where he went into surgery immediately.
Spears, from Evans, Georgia, said his grandfather was with him at the hospital. He said that his recovery is slow but improving and that he is grateful to be alive. While he had planned to return home on Wednesday, he now expects to spend the holidays in the hospital.
Authorities have identified the two students killed in the shooting as Ella Cook, 19, and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, 18.
The American Uzbekistan Association described Umurzokov as known for his intellect and kindness, while Cook’s local church said she was “incredibly grounded and generous.”
What People Are Saying
Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America, in a statement posted to X: “We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook. Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and her fellow classmates. Our prayers are with her family, our Brown CR’s, and the entirety of the campus as they heal from this tragedy.”
Rukhsora Umurzokov, sister of slain student, MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, from Richmond, Virginia: “He was so gentle and he was so nice to everybody around him. He was so helpful to all of his friends, his family, everybody.”
What Happens Next
Authorities have released photos and videos of a possible person of interest as the investigation continues. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification, arrest and conviction.
