PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Ahead of Thanksgiving, Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national and former Brown University student, checked into a hotel in Boston and repeatedly visited the university campus, raising concerns among staff.
On December 13, Valente returned with a handgun, resulting in a tragic shooting in a lecture hall that killed two students and injured nine others. Days later, he fatally shot Nuno F.G. Loureiro, an MIT professor and his former classmate, before evading capture.
Attempts to identify Valente were complicated by his use of disguise and limited footage from security cameras. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez expressed frustration at the challenges investigators faced as they sought to find the assailant.
Understanding Valente's Background
Investigators are still examining Valente's activities leading up to the shootings, noting that he had visited the Brown campus multiple times since November 17, when he was first captured on surveillance at a rental agency. Despite being an alumnus, details about his motive remain unclear.
On the day of the shooting, he roamed the campus for hours, reportedly seen by a Good Samaritan, named John, who recognized his suspicious behavior and alerted authorities. Following a brief confrontation, Valente left, only to return later with deadly intent.
Following the Aftermath
The tragic events shook both the Brown community and those at MIT, with authorities initially unsure if the attacks were related. As they analyzed surveillance footage and interviewed students, two victims made critical identifications that linked Valente to the shooting.
Authorities quickly pivoted when they realized the same individual might be behind both incidents, igniting a full-scale manhunt that concluded with Valente’s apparent suicide in New Hampshire.
The aftermath of the shootings highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding campus safety and mental health resources, as communities work to heal from this senseless tragedy.
