Authorities have confirmed that Claudio Neves Valente, the suspect in last week’s deadly mass shooting at Brown University, was found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, following a six-day multi-state manhunt. Valente, 48, a Portuguese national, was linked to the shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor two days later.

Investigation and Identification

Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez stated that investigators relied on CCTV footage and tips from the public to track Valente to a car rental location, which ultimately led to his identification. Authorities said that Valente’s vehicle was also spotted near the MIT shooting scene in Brookline, Massachusetts, connecting the two attacks.

Initial findings indicate that Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials have not disclosed how long he may have been inside the storage facility prior to discovery.

Background on the Suspect

Valente had previously studied at Brown University, enrolling from autumn 2000 to spring 2001 while pursuing a PhD in physics. University President Christina Paxson confirmed that Valente had no active affiliation with Brown at the time of the shooting.

Authorities believe Valente also killed MIT professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro, 47, at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Both Valente and the MIT professor had attended the same university in Portugal during the late 1990s.

Response from Law Enforcement

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated that Valente was found with a satchel and two firearms, and evidence recovered from a nearby car linked him to the Providence shooting. The FBI deployed approximately 500 agents to assist local authorities, with Special Agent-in-Charge Ted Docks noting, “Even though the suspect was found dead tonight, our work is not done. There are many questions that need to be answered.”

Authorities also highlighted Valente’s sophistication in evading tracking, including the use of a phone that obscured his location, according to Massachusetts State Attorney Leah B. Foley.

Security and Policy Implications

In the aftermath of the shootings, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the suspension of the green card lottery program, through which Valente entered the country in 2017. Noem stated the suspension is intended to prevent similar incidents, calling the program “disastrous” and emphasizing that Valente “should never have been allowed in our country.”

Victims and Campus Impact

The Brown University shooting occurred at the Barus & Holley engineering building during a study session ahead of final exams. Two students were killed:

• Ella Cook, 19, a second-year student from Alabama.
• Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, an Uzbek-American first-year student.

Nine other students were injured, six of whom remain hospitalized. The attacks have caused widespread anxiety and fear on campus, prompting Brown University to review safety protocols and the police response.

Authorities released additional footage of the suspect walking on campus with a black mask and offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest prior to the confirmation of his death.