Brown University has placed its police chief, Rodney Chatman, on leave following a deadly mass shooting on campus that left two students dead and nine others injured. The decision comes as the Ivy League school conducts a standard review of campus safety in the wake of the tragedy.

Administrative Response and Review

University President Christina Paxson announced the leave on Monday, stating it is part of a broader review into campus security policies and the university’s response to the attack. Paxson praised the bravery and dedication of campus officers who responded on the day of the shooting but acknowledged the incident has caused “anxiety, fear and stress” among students and staff.

The U.S. Department of Education is also reviewing Brown University’s response to the shooting, underscoring growing scrutiny of the institution’s safety protocols.

Details of the Shooting

The attack occurred on December 13, 2025, when the suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former Brown student, entered a building used for the university’s engineering and physics programs. He fired at least 44 rounds from a pistol, injuring nine students and killing two.

The victims were identified as:

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

Six days after the shooting, Valente was found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire. Authorities believe he also killed an MIT professor two days after the Brown University attack. The motive for both shootings has not been released.

Security Concerns and Criticism

Following the shooting, authorities and observers criticized the campus police response, particularly their initial inability to quickly identify and apprehend the suspect. President Trump weighed in, noting that the university lacked sufficient security cameras, though Paxson stated the campus is equipped with 1,200 security cameras.

The university has committed to reviewing both its response to the shooting and its overall safety policies. These reviews will be conducted by Brown University’s highest governing body to ensure enhanced security measures are implemented moving forward.

Campus Impact

The shooting has left a lasting impact on the Brown University community, with students and staff expressing heightened fear and anxiety. Paxson emphasized the university’s immediate steps to address these concerns, including additional counseling services and campus safety initiatives.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of comprehensive campus safety protocols and the critical role of emergency preparedness in higher education institutions.