Police in the United States have confirmed that the suspect behind last week’s deadly mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead, bringing an end to a tense six-day multi-state manhunt that gripped several states across New England.
Law enforcement authorities said the suspect, identified as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, was discovered deceased inside a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, on Friday evening. Preliminary investigations indicate that Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials familiar with the case.
Valente, a Portuguese national, previously studied at Brown University approximately 25 years ago but had no current affiliation with the Ivy League institution at the time of the attack. Authorities stressed that while the discovery of the suspect’s body brings a measure of closure, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shootings are still ongoing.
“Even though the suspect was found dead tonight, our work is not done,” said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Ted Docks during a press briefing. “There are many questions that need to be answered, and our teams remain focused on establishing a complete timeline and motive.”
Discovery and Evidence
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha confirmed that Valente was found in possession of a satchel and two firearms at the storage facility. Investigators also recovered evidence from a nearby vehicle that matched forensic materials found at the Brown University crime scene, further strengthening the link between Valente and the shooting.
Authorities said they are still working to determine how long the suspect had been inside the storage unit before his body was discovered. The facility was secured immediately after the discovery, and federal and state investigators carried out a detailed forensic examination.
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez credited surveillance footage and public cooperation for the breakthrough in the case. According to him, video evidence and tips from the public helped investigators trace the suspect to a rented vehicle registered in his name.
“That rental car became a critical lead,” Chief Perez said. “It allowed investigators to narrow their focus and identify Valente as the primary person of interest.”
Link to MIT Professor’s Killing
Authorities have also confirmed that Valente is believed to be responsible for the killing of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro, 47. Loureiro was found dead at his residence in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the Brown University shooting.
Police revealed that both men had studied at the same university in Portugal in the late 1990s, though the nature of their relationship remains unclear. Investigators say the two cases were formally linked after the suspect’s vehicle was captured on CCTV footage near both crime scenes, supported by eyewitness accounts.
Leah B. Foley, the US Attorney for Massachusetts, said the suspect took deliberate steps to evade capture. “He was sophisticated in hiding his tracks,” Foley stated, adding that Valente’s movements across state lines complicated the investigation.
Deadly Shooting at Brown University
The mass shooting occurred inside Brown University’s Barus & Holley engineering building during final examination period, a time when the campus was heavily populated by students preparing for end-of-semester assessments.
According to police, the gunman opened fire inside the building, killing two students and injuring nine others. At least six of the injured students remain hospitalised, some in critical but stable condition.
The victims who lost their lives were identified as Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a freshman of Uzbek-American descent. University officials described both students as bright, ambitious, and deeply involved in campus life.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that Valente had been enrolled at the institution from autumn 2000 to spring 2001 as a PhD physics student but emphasized that he had no ongoing academic, professional, or personal ties to the university.
“This was an act of violence that has deeply shaken our community,” Paxson said in a statement. “We are focused on supporting our students, faculty, and staff as they grieve and recover.”
No Established Motive Yet
Despite significant progress in the investigation, authorities say no clear motive has yet been established for either the Brown University shooting or the killing of the MIT professor. Investigators are reviewing the suspect’s background, digital footprint, travel history, and personal connections in an effort to understand what may have led to the attacks.
Law enforcement agencies across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and federal units continue to collaborate closely, stressing that any additional findings will be communicated to the public once verified.
As investigations continue, officials are urging anyone with further information related to the case to come forward, noting that public cooperation played a crucial role in tracking the suspect.
A Nation on Edge
The incident adds to growing concerns about gun violence on university campuses across the United States. In recent months, several deadly shootings involving students and academic institutions have sparked renewed debates over campus security and gun control.
Brown University has since increased security presence on campus and announced additional mental health and counseling services for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
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