Authorities have confirmed the suspect in a shooting at Brown University, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, was found dead Thursday in a New Hampshire warehouse. Providence Police Chief Colonel Oscar Pérez announced the development during a press conference Thursday evening.
Details of the Incident
The suspect has been identified as Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old former Brown University student and a Portuguese national whose last known residence was in Miami, Florida. According to Chief Pérez, Valente “took his own life” Thursday night. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated that Valente was discovered with a wallet and two firearms at the scene.
Investigators have also linked Valente to the fatal shooting of an MIT professor at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Monday.
The Investigation
The identification of the suspect was aided by security camera footage that captured a vehicle linked to Valente. “In this specific incident, there was video that provided a description of a vehicle, which matched a tip received at the information center,” explained Chief Pérez. License plate reader technology traced the vehicle to a rental agency in Massachusetts, and detectives were able to obtain a rental agreement bearing Valente’s name.
The FBI had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and capture.
Impact on the Brown University Community
The Brown University community remains deeply shaken following the shooting on Saturday, December 13th, in the Barus & Holley engineering building. Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov were killed, and nine others were injured. Classes and exams have been suspended as a safety precaution, and approximately 2,000 students were temporarily relocated.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley stated, “Tonight, our neighbors in Providence can finally breathe a little easier.” Brown University President Christina H. Paxson described the day as “profoundly tragic” and affirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the victims’ families, according to BBC News.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the suspect in the Brown University shooting?
The suspect was identified as Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old former Brown University student and a Portuguese national.
Where was the suspect found?
The suspect was found deceased in a warehouse in New Hampshire.
Was the suspect connected to any other crimes?
Authorities have linked the suspect to the fatal shooting of a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Monday.
As the investigation concludes, the Brown University community will likely begin the process of healing and grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event. It remains to be seen what long-term impacts this will have on campus safety protocols and the overall sense of security within the university.
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