Authorities confirmed Thursday night the suspect in Saturday’s shooting at Brown University, which left two students dead and nine injured, was found deceased in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire. The suspect has been identified as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a former Brown student and Portuguese national.
Investigation Leads to New Hampshire
Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez announced the discovery at a news conference, stating Valente was last known to reside in Miami. Investigators tracked Valente through video surveillance and ultimately to a car rental agency in Massachusetts. Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed Valente attended the university in the early 2000s, studying physics.
The discovery brings a measure of relief to the Providence community and the Brown University campus, which had been gripped by five days of fear and uncertainty. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley stated, “Tonight our Providence neighbors can finally breathe a little easier.”
The Shooting and its Aftermath
The shooting occurred at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday at Barus and Holley Hall, during an economics class review session. Students reported a man wearing a face mask entered the classroom and began firing. Ref Bari, a physics graduate student, described the chaos, recounting how he and other students sheltered in a bathroom for hours while rumors circulated about the shooter’s location.
The victims have been identified as Brown students Ella Cook, 19, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a naturalized citizen who immigrated from Uzbekistan in 2011. Cook was remembered as a student with a “heart as big as the sun” and a “silent leadership” quality. Umurzokov was described by a classmate as someone who “seemed to be friends with every single person” on campus and aspired to become a neurosurgeon.
Looking Ahead
Brown University canceled all remaining in-person exams for the fall semester to prioritize the well-being of its community. It is likely the university will offer expanded mental health resources to students and faculty in the coming weeks. Further investigation could focus on establishing a motive for the shooting, though authorities have not yet released any information on that front. The community may also grapple with questions about campus security and preventative measures in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the suspect in the Brown University shooting?
The suspect was identified as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a former Brown University student and Portuguese national who was last known to live in Miami.
Where was the suspect found?
The suspect was found deceased in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, according to Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez.
What happened to the remaining exams at Brown University?
Brown University canceled all remaining in-person exams for the fall semester to focus on providing care and support to the community.
As the Brown University community begins to process this tragedy, what role will remembrance and support play in the long-term healing process?
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