It has been a long, dark week here in Providence. The weight of the tragedy at Brown has felt like a physical presence in the air. We are a small state—the "Biggest Little State"—and when something this devastating happens on College Hill, it ripples through every coffee shop, every classroom, and every neighborhood from Fox Point to the East Side.
Before we even begin the long process of healing, I want to take a moment to say thank you.
First and foremost, thank you to the Providence Police, the Rhode Island State Police, and the FBI. They worked tirelessly across state lines, following a trail that led from our own backyard to Brookline, Massachusetts, and finally to Salem, New Hampshire. A special thank you goes out to the witness and tipster whose vigilance on Reddit and bravery in coming forward "blew the case wide open." It was his attention to detail regarding the suspect's behavior and that grey Nissan that finally gave investigators the breakthrough they needed. Because of him, and the coordinated efforts of multi-state agencies, we no longer have to live in the fear of the unknown.
Our hearts are shattered for the families of the two Brown students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, and MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro.
We are a small state, but also a big community that leans on one another.
Rhode Island Strong.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the recent events, please reach out to the Brown Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare.
