The Mountain Brook woman who was killed in the Brown University shooting was the vice president of the school's Republican club and was likely targeted, according to multiple sources. Ella Cook was one of two shot and killed on Saturday while studying with a group of students.

"We are devastated to learn of the loss of our Brown College Republicans Vice President, Ella Cook," the club's president, Martin Bertao, stated. "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."

The founder and chairman of the College Republicans of America, William Branson Donahue, said he believes Cook was targeted.

"I am filled with rage and sadness to learn that our Brown College Republicans VP, Ella Cook, has been identified as one of the victims from the attack," he stated. "I'm told she was allegedly targeted for her conservative beliefs, hunted, and killed in cold blood. Losing Charlie [Kirk] three months ago rocked our worlds. The entire College Republicans community is weeping this evening, learning of the news. This was an attack on our family."

The Republican Club of Brown University provides a space for students to explore conservative policy and politics. The group fosters open dialogue, promotes intellectual diversity, and hosts events that encourage engagement with alternative viewpoints on campus, according to the school's website.

A broken-hearted former Brown University College Republican member, Alex Shieh, shared his experience with Cook, saying he had firsthand experience of Cook's courageous acts as a conservative on a liberal campus.

"Last spring, while I was under a disciplinary investigation for reporting on Brown's administration for the conservative student paper, almost nobody wanted to be associated with me," he said. "Ella was one of the few who were willing to stand with me in public and help hand out newspapers in front of the dining hall. Everyone at Brown who knew Ella, regardless of their politics, found her to be friendly and kind. My thoughts are with Ella's family. Ella was a promising young leader taken too soon."

Cook was known in conservative circles not only on campus but across the nation. Chinese American activist and author Xi Van Fleet released a statement on social media confirming she had met Cook. Fleet said Cook left a lasting impression, and when Fleet heard the news of her death, she was shocked.

"We spoke about what it was like to be a conservative on campus, current events, and the history of Communism," Fleet stated. "Ella was a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama. She was killed while attending a review session for an economics class."

Police have not released a motive in the shooting and have not officially charged a suspect. A person of interest initially detained has been released.

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