A slain college student, just 19 years old, is being remembered as a devoted Christian as figures ranging from her local pastor to elected officials from her home state of Alabama weigh in on yet another seemingly politically-motivated attack on faith-focused conservatives in the country.
For context, initial reports suggest that Ella Cook, just 19 years old and a sophomore at Providence, Rhode Island’s Ivy League Brown University, was studying with friends when a lone gunman walked into her location with the seeming intent to specifically begin his violent rampage by attacking her. She was reportedly shot directly in the face. She and another student lost their lives.
Alabama’s junior Senator Katie Britt released a statement shortly after Cook was identified as the victim in the targeted attack. “Wesley and I join the Mountain Brook community and all of Alabama in mourning the heartbreaking loss of one of our own, Ella Cook, who was senselessly killed over the weekend on Brown University’s campus. Her beautiful life was taken far too soon, but those who loved her are comforted in knowing that she has joined our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for all of eternity.”
The red state’s Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth likewise reflected on the life cut short. “Ella Cook, a sophomore student from Birmingham, was killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday. Ella was a devoted Christian and a committed conservative who represented the very best of Alabama. A bright future was ended much too soon. Join me in lifting up her family in prayers of comfort.”
And Reverend Craig Smalley of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Cook’s own parish, in Birmingham, spoke at length about Cook before commencing with his service’s regular events. “Before we sing, and before you hear the name in our prayers, it’s a tremendous heaviness that is upon our congregation today,” he opened.
“Many of you heard about the tragedy which happened at Brown University, the shootings which took place, and a number of young people who died. And sadly, tragically, one of those people is one of our parishioners. Ella Cook was one of those. Richard and Anna Cook’s daughter, Hooker and Mary Hannah’s sister, was one of those,” he said, his words weighing heavy.
“And for those of you who knew her, who know her, she was a just, incredibly grounded and generous and faithful and bright light, both here at the Advent over many years, as she was engaged and evolved in our worship and in our community, and as she served here at the church and in the wider community, in all sincerity, just a tremendous Ella, a tremendous and bright light in there at Brown University as well, in the time that she was there was such a light and such a witness,” he continued.
“She was wonderful, gracious, faithful, and as we just invite your continued prayers for Richard and for Anna, for Hooker and for Mary Hannah. And as we gather, we give thanks that God is indeed a God who fulfills His promises, who comes, who saves, who sustains, and invites you now, in light of that, as people who grieve with hope that we stand and sing together and,” he added.
Watch that solemn, heartbreaking eulogy below:
https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/2000411683941155137?s=20
Featured image: Ella Cook/LinkedIn