Providence, Rhode Island — A man who killed two students from Brown University and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor conducted his violent actions after years of planning, according to recent disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice. Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a former student at Brown originally from Portugal, was discovered deceased in a storage unit in New Hampshire after carrying out the attacks on December 13 and December 15.
Valente’s rampage began at Brown University, where he shot and killed sophomore Ella Cook, 19, and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, in an engineering facility. His assault also left nine others injured. Following this, he traveled to Brookline, Massachusetts, where he murdered MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a figure from his past academic life in Portugal.
During an FBI search of Valente’s storage locker, agents uncovered electronic devices containing videos made by him in the aftermath of the shootings. In these recordings, Valente admitted to meticulously planning the assaults over several semesters without disclosing any rationale for targeting either the university or Loureiro.
Valente’s videos revealed a chilling lack of remorse, stating he felt no need to apologize for his actions. He dismissed claims about the attack that were fueled by misinformation, including allegations that he spoke Arabic during the shooting. Instead, he maintained he merely expressed disappointment upon entering the auditorium and finding it empty, believing that students had evacuated through an emergency exit.
The assailant described his actions as “a little incompetent,” yet he emphasized his desire to enact a plan that would allow him to leave life on his own terms. He indicated that the shootings were random, insisting he harbored no mental illness or desire for notoriety. He characterized the recordings not as a manifesto but as a way to address what he felt were misconceptions surrounding his actions.
Investigators learned that Valente’s identification was facilitated by a witness who recognized him from past encounters at Brown University. This individual contributed critical information to law enforcement, including a description of a rental vehicle connected to Valente. Following the sharing of his image publicly, the witness reached out to the FBI, ultimately leading to Valente’s identification.
Brown University released a statement expressing its sorrow over the tragedy, noting the profound impact it has had on the institution and its community. The university continues to grieve the loss of the two students while hoping for the recovery of those injured in the attack.
Valente, who arrived in the United States approximately 25 years ago, expressed ambivalence toward both his native country and the U.S., stating he felt detached from both places. Having obtained legal permanent residency in 2017, his final known address was in Miami.
Overall, this tragic incident has sent shockwaves through both academic communities and beyond, prompting renewed conversations about campus safety and mental health awareness.