Suspect Located After Multi-State Manhunt
Authorities say the suspect in the December 13 mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead following an extensive multi-state manhunt. Investigators determined the suspect died by suicide inside a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire.
The suspect was identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former Brown University graduate student.
Brown University Shooting Details
The shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley engineering building during final exams. Two students were killed and nine others were wounded while participating in a study session in a first-floor classroom.
Investigators said the gunman entered from the rear of an auditorium-style classroom and fired as students attempted to take cover. Numerous shell casings were recovered from the scene.
MIT Professor Killing Linked to Same Suspect
Federal prosecutors believe the same suspect was responsible for the fatal shooting of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the Brown University attack.
Authorities said the suspect and Loureiro previously studied physics at the same university in Portugal during the late 1990s and were believed to have known one another.
Timeline and Movement of the Suspect
Investigators reconstructed the suspect’s movements using license plate readers, rental records, surveillance footage, and digital data. According to charging documents:
- The suspect rented a vehicle in Boston in early December
- The vehicle was repeatedly detected near Brown University prior to the shooting
- Digital activity placed the suspect near the MIT professor’s residence before the homicide
- After the killing, the suspect traveled to New Hampshire, where he rented a storage unit
An autopsy estimated the suspect died on December 16, several days before his body was discovered.
Suspect Acted Alone, Motive Unclear
Law enforcement officials said they are confident the suspect acted alone in both shootings. However, investigators have not identified a motive for either attack.
Authorities stated there were no known interactions between the suspect and law enforcement prior to his death.
Immigration Program Under Federal Review
Federal officials confirmed the suspect entered the United States in 2017 through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program and later obtained lawful permanent resident status.
In response to the case, federal authorities announced an indefinite pause of the diversity visa program while its security procedures are reviewed. The program issues approximately 50,000 visas annually through a lottery system.
Community Mourning and Ongoing Review
Brown University identified the two students killed in the attack as Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. University officials described both as highly regarded members of the campus community.
Investigators continue to review evidence to ensure all aspects of the case have been fully examined, though officials have stated there is no ongoing public threat.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
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