Brown University Shooting Suspect Found Dead After Manhunt

The suspect in a deadly mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead. Authorities located 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente in a New Hampshire storage facility on Thursday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Providence Police confirmed the identity of the shooter involved in the attack that left two dead and nine wounded. This development brings a grim close to a days-long manhunt that extended across state lines.

Suspect Was Former Graduate Student

Claudio Neves Valente was a former graduate student at Brown University. According to university officials, he was enrolled in a physics Ph.D. program from 2000 to 2001. His academic history placed him frequently in the Barus & Holley building, the site of the shooting.

Authorities, including the Providence Police Chief, stated he was a Portuguese national with a green card. His last known address was in Florida. The investigation was aided by license plate recognition technology that tracked his vehicle’s movements.

Possible Connection to MIT Professor’s Murder

Investigators are probing a potential link to another high-profile killing. According to reports from the Associated Press, Valente is suspected in the fatal shooting of an MIT professor earlier in the week. Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro was killed in his Brookline, Massachusetts home.

Authorities have not formally confirmed the connection between the two cases. However, law enforcement sources indicate both incidents are part of their active investigation. This suggests a broader, more complex case than initially understood.

Community and Nation Grapple with Aftermath

The Brown University community is mourning its losses. Campus officials emphasized the suspect had no current active affiliation with the school. Security protocols and the extensive campus camera network are now under review.

Nationally, the case highlights the challenges of tracking a suspect who flees a major crime scene. Experts note that while many mass shooters are quickly apprehended, some investigations can take days. This incident follows patterns seen in other high-profile cases across the country.

The conclusion of the manhunt for the Brown University shooting suspect ends a period of intense fear. However, critical questions about motive and connections remain unanswered for investigators and the grieving community.

Info at your fingertips

Who was the Brown University shooting suspect?

The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente. He was a former graduate physics student at Brown and a Portuguese national.

What is the link to the MIT professor’s death?

Law enforcement sources told the Associated Press they believe Valente is also responsible for killing MIT professor Nuno Loureiro. A formal connection between the cases has not been officially announced.

How was the suspect found?

Police used automated license plate reader data to track a vehicle linked to Valente. The car was flagged moving into New Hampshire, leading authorities to the storage facility.

How many people were hurt in the Brown shooting?

The attack resulted in two fatalities and nine people wounded. The shooting occurred inside the Barus & Holley engineering building on campus.

What was the MIT professor known for?

Professor Nuno Loureiro was the director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. He was a leading researcher in nuclear fusion and clean energy technology.