Suspect in Brown University Shooting Found Dead From Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
Authorities have confirmed that the man suspected of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at Brown University and the subsequent murder of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending a multi-day manhunt that gripped multiple states. (AP News)
Who the Suspect Was
The suspect has been identified as Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former graduate physics student at Brown University. Valente was believed to be responsible for two separate shootings:
- A mass shooting on 13 December 2025 at Brown University’s engineering building in Providence, Rhode Island, where he allegedly killed two students and wounded nine others during a study session. (Wikipedia)
- The fatal shooting of MIT physics professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, on 15 December 2025, two days after the Brown attack. (Wikipedia)
Police say that investigators now believe Valente acted alone in both incidents, though his motive remains unknown. (Wikipedia)
How He Was Found
Law enforcement located Valente on 18 December 2025 inside a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, where he had been hiding as the manhunt widened across New England. Officials said Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, effectively ending the pursuit. (AP News)
Two firearms were found with him, and investigators linked the weapons and other evidence to the shootings at Brown and the MIT professor’s home. (Wikipedia)
Authorities had been searching for Valente for several days, releasing surveillance images of a man believed to be the shooter and asking the public for assistance. A key breakthrough came when a tip-off from a witness helped police trace a rental car associated with Valente, ultimately leading them to him. (ABC News)
Background and Investigation
Connection to Brown and MIT
Valente had briefly attended Brown University as a physics graduate student in 2000–2001, according to the university’s president, Christina Paxson, who clarified that he had no current affiliation with the school at the time of the shootings. (Wikipedia)
The suspect and MIT professor Loureiro also shared a past academic connection, having both studied in Portugal in the late 1990s at the same institution, though the nature of their relationship and any motive remains unclear to investigators. (Wikipedia)
Law enforcement agencies — including local police, the FBI, and prosecutors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts — worked in coordination throughout the investigation, piecing together evidence from surveillance footage, vehicle records, and public tips. (Wikipedia)
Victims
At Brown University, the two students who lost their lives were identified as:
- Ella Cook, 19, a sophomore and vice-president of the Brown College Republicans chapter;
- Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a first-year student from Uzbekistan who aspired to become a doctor. (AP News)
Nine other students were injured during the shooting; several have since been released from hospital while others were reported in stable condition. (People.com)
At MIT, the victim was Nuno F.G. Loureiro, 47, a renowned physics professor and head of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. His death has drawn tributes from colleagues and officials, highlighting his contributions to science and fusion research. (Wikipedia)
Public Safety and Responses
The discovery of Valente’s death brought relief to communities shaken by the shootings. Law enforcement officials stated that with the suspect deceased, there is no longer an active threat to the public. (NBC Boston)
Brown University officials canceled final exams and closed campus activities following the shooting, as grief and shock reverberated through the student body and faculty. Memorials and vigils were held to honor the victims and support those affected. (AP News)
Authorities continue to investigate the full timeline of events, including how Valente planned and executed the attacks, and whether any additional factors contributed to his actions. (Wikipedia)
Broader Impact
The shootings have sparked wider discussions on campus security and gun violence in the United States, especially in educational settings. Critics and public officials are examining questions about how the suspect was able to carry out such violence and what preventive measures can be strengthened at universities and research institutions nationwide.
In the political sphere, the case also prompted the temporary suspension of the U.S. diversity visa (green card lottery) program, because Valente had entered the United States through that program and later became a lawful permanent resident. This move has been controversial, drawing reactions from both supporters and critics of immigration policy changes. (Reuters)
What’s Next in the Investigation
Although the suspect is dead, investigators are expected to continue working to fully understand the sequence of events, gather all evidence, and reconstruct Valente’s movements in the days leading up to and following the shootings. Officials also aim to determine whether there were missed signs or opportunities for intervention.
Autopsy results and forensic analyses will be released in due course, and prosecutors in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts may provide further updates as part of ongoing inquiries into the crimes. (Wikipedia)
In summary: The suspect in the Brown University mass shooting and the killing of an MIT physics professor was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a New Hampshire storage facility, according to officials, bringing an end to a multi-day manhunt while raising questions about motives, campus safety, and broader social implications. (AP News)