Shooting Suspect Tied to Brown and MIT Found Dead, Police Say

Police found the suspect in the shooting at Brown University and the murder of an MIT professor dead from self-inflicted wounds. This marked the end of the tense manhunt.

Shooting at Brown University

Gunfire erupted at Brown University on December 13, 2025. The shooter targeted the Barus and Holley building during exams. He killed two students and injured nine others.

Police identified the victims as Ella Cook from Alabama and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov from Virginia. Surveillance footage captured the suspect scouting the area earlier.

Murder of MIT Professor

Two days later, the same man killed MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Investigators linked the crimes through video evidence.Loureiro and the suspect studied together in Portugal years ago. This connection raised questions about motive.

Suspect’s Identity Revealed

Officials named Claudio Manuel Neves Valente as the perpetrator. The 48-year-old Portuguese national once pursued a physics PhD at Brown from 2000 to 2001. He withdrew in 2003 without a degree. Additionally Valente held U.S. permanent residency since 2017 and lived in Miami, Florida.

Discovery in New Hampshire

Police found Valente’s body on December 18, 2025, in a Salem, New Hampshire storage facility. He died from a gunshot to the head. Investigators recovered firearms and a satchel at the scene. However they still probe why he targeted these victims now.

Evasion Tactics Exposed

Valente dodged capture by altering license plates and avoiding traceable payments. Tipsters and rental car records helped track him. Furthermore his movements traced back to December 1 in the region. This detail aided the multi-agency effort.

Community and Official Reactions

Brown University offered support to affected students. President Christina Paxson noted no current ties to Valente. Authorities confirmed the case’s closure but continued motive investigations. In addition, they urged tips via the FBI hotline.