BOSTON — A man who fatally shot two Brown University students and an MIT professor meticulously planned the attacks for years, leaving behind videos that reveal his actions but not his motivations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a former student at Brown and a native of Portugal, died in a New Hampshire storage facility following the shootings. On December 13, he opened fire in an engineering building, killing 19-year-old Ella Cook and 18-year-old MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, and injuring nine others. Just two days later, he shot MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in his home in Brookline.
FBI officials discovered the videos during their investigation at the storage facility where Valente’s body was found on December 18. In the recordings, he disclosed having contemplated the attacks for at least six semesters but did not express any clear reasoning behind his choice of targets, which included individuals he previously encountered during his education in Portugal.
In translations provided by the Justice Department, Valente stated that he harbored no regrets about his actions and expressed frustration regarding injuries he sustained during the shootings. He directly addressed false narratives surrounding the attack, dismissing unsubstantiated claims that he shouted Arabic phrases upon entering the auditorium.
The recordings depicted Valente as pathologically detached, asserting that he had no intention of apologizing since he felt that no one had ever done so for him during his lifetime. He articulated a desire for autonomy over his life circumstances, claiming, “I wanted to ensure I wouldn’t be the one who ended up suffering the most from all this.”
Valente, who referred to his method as “a little incompetent,” nonetheless acknowledged that he had seized the opportunity to execute his plan, asserting that something significant was achieved. He stated that he had rented the storage unit for approximately three years prior to his death.
Brown University released a statement acknowledging the profound sorrow reverberating through the community in light of the tragedies, expressing condolences for the victims and promoting healing for those affected.
Additionally, investigators learned that Valente’s identification as the shooting suspect was aided by a witness who recognized him from previous encounters. This individual later contributed crucial information to the FBI, explaining that they recognized Valente’s vehicle when law enforcement released images of the suspect.
Having first arrived in the U.S. over two decades ago to study physics at Brown, Valente transitioned to permanent residency in 2017. He expressed a dispassionate view of America and Portugal alike, stating, “I’ve been here without caring for a very long time now.” His complex relationship with the countries he inhabited resonates with the tragic finality of his actions, leaving many questions unanswered.