2026 -- H 7001

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LC003542

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PRAISING THE RHODE ISLAND AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES,

PROVIDENCE MAYOR BRETT P. SMILEY, RHODE ISLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL

PETER NERONHA, COLONEL OSCAR PEREZ, CHIEF OF THE PROVIDENCE POLICE

DEPARTMENT, PROVIDENCE FIRE CHIEF DEREK SILVA, AND THE HEROIC

MEDICAL PERSONNEL, PARTICULARLY THOSE AT RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL,

WHO SAVED THE LIVES OF MANY OF THE SHOOTING VICTIMS AT BROWN

UNIVERSITY

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Ajello, Biah,
DeSimone, Marszalkowski, Boylan, Hull, and Abney

     Date Introduced: January 06, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On Saturday afternoon, December 13, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., an

act of unimaginable violence unfolded at Brown University when a gunman entered the Barus &

Holley Building, home to the University’s School of Engineering and Department of Physics,

shooting eleven people and taking the lives of two students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz

Umurzokov; and

     WHEREAS, In the moments immediately following the first shots, wounded students lay

injured on Manning Walk of the Brown University campus as chaos spread, fear replaced routine,

and members of the Brown University community fled for safety, uncertain of where danger lay;

and

     WHEREAS, Providence firefighters and emergency medical personnel ran toward the

wounded without hesitation, rendering aid under conditions of extreme uncertainty, even as

gunfire continued nearby and the location of the shooter remained unknown; and

     WHEREAS, These firefighters worked swiftly and courageously to stop bleeding,

stabilize victims, and remove the injured from harm’s way, remaining alert to their surroundings

and aware that the threat had not yet passed, exemplifying extraordinary composure and devotion

to duty; and

     WHEREAS, Members of the Providence Fire Department responded under the leadership

of Fire Chief Derek M. Silva, including Fire Captain Robert Cataldo, a 34-year veteran of the

Department, Lieutenant John Faria, and Firefighters Jay Vita and Zack Hannon, along with many

others who placed themselves in harm’s way to protect and save the lives of students and staff;

and

     WHEREAS, These first responders acted in the very manner for which they had trained,

entering unsecured areas, providing lifesaving care before a scene was declared safe, and

accepting personal risk in order to prevent further loss of life; and

     WHEREAS, Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies responded immediately

and worked tirelessly in the hours and days that followed to identify the perpetrator and ensure

public safety, under the leadership of Providence Police Chief Colonel Oscar Perez, Rhode Island

State Police Superintendent Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, and their federal partners, including the

Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;

and

     WHEREAS, Exceptional medical care was provided by doctors, nurses, and medical

professionals, particularly at Rhode Island Hospital, who worked under extraordinary pressure to

save lives while also offering compassion, comfort, and guidance to families enduring profound

shock and grief; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island was served with steadiness and integrity by its

elected leadership, including Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Attorney General Peter

Neronha, who worked continuously to support emergency responders and law enforcement, keep

the public informed, and provide clarity and reassurance during a time of fear and uncertainty;

and

     WHEREAS, In the midst of this devastating tragedy, the strength and compassion of the

Rhode Island community were evident, as neighbors supported one another, residents assisted law

enforcement, and countless acts of kindness affirmed a shared commitment to care for one

another as healing begins; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

expresses its deepest condolences to the victims of the Brown University shooting and their

families, and honors the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of the first responders, law

enforcement officers, medical professionals, and public servants who placed themselves in

harm’s way and responded with humanity, professionalism, and resilience; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Brett P. Smiley, Mayor of the

City of Providence; Attorney General Peter Neronha; Colonel Oscar Perez, Chief of the

Providence Police Department; Chief Derek M. Silva of the Providence Fire Department; and

Colonel Darnell S. Weaver of the State Police.

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LC003542

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