Providence, Rhode Island — A man who fatally shot two Brown University students and an MIT professor meticulously planned his attacks over several years, leaving behind videos that provide chilling insights into his mindset, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The attacker, identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente, was found deceased in a storage facility in New Hampshire following the incidents that occurred in December.
Valente, a former Brown student and native of Portugal, killed two students, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, on December 13, injuring nine others in an engineering building. Two days later, he took the life of professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at Loureiro’s home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Investigators recovered videos in which Valente confessed to the attacks but did not state any clear rationale for his actions.
In recordings released by the Department of Justice, Valente indicated he had been contemplating such violence for at least six semesters. His references to the victims were devoid of emotion, and he claimed the shootings were random. He dismissed any notion that he was mentally ill, insisting that he had no desire for fame and described his actions as clumsy, yet purposeful.
While discussing his emotions during the shootings, Valente stated he felt no remorse, maintaining, “I’m not going to apologize because during my lifetime no one sincerely apologized to me.” He also addressed misinformation spread by a social media influencer, refuting claims that he spoke Arabic during the attack and clarifying that any sounds were likely expressions of frustration over an empty auditorium.
The events at Brown University unfolded in a moment of chaos, with students hiding for safety. Valente expressed a desire to target a traditional classroom setting but felt he could not carry out the act as he had imagined.
Authorities detailed that Valente had been in the U.S. for approximately 25 years, initially arriving to study physics at Brown. Over time, he obtained legal permanent residency but had experienced challenges, including once being let go from a university position in Lisbon. He described living without strong connections to any location, feeling indifferent towards the U.S. and Portugal alike.
Witnesses played a crucial role in identifying Valente. A bystander who encountered him before the shootings recognized his image in police communications and tipped off law enforcement. This led to the discovery of a rental vehicle linked to the shooter.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, Brown University reaffirmed its commitment to mourning the students’ loss while offering support to those impacted by the violence. The incident has left an indelible mark on the institution, with profound grief resonating throughout the campus.