A man suspected of having killed two students and a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) physics professor has been found dead.
Authorities stated at a Thursday press conference that they believed the two incidents were related and identified the suspect as 48-year-old Portuguese national Claudio Manuel Neves Valente. According to Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez, Neves Valente was found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a New Hampshire storage facility on Thursday.
Federal, state, and local officials carried out a five-day manhunt after a shooter killed two students and injured nine others during a final exam study session at Brown University on Saturday. A previous “person of interest” was detained on Dec. 14, Sunday, but was released.
Here’s what to know about the case.
Tracing the timeline
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley outlined the suspect’s final movements during a news conference, disclosing that Neves Valente, whose last known residence was in Florida, had rented a hotel room in Boston from Nov. 26 to Nov. 30.
On Dec. 1, the suspect rented a gray Nissan Sentra with Florida license plates from a Boston rental agency and drove to the Rhode Island area near Brown University. His car was “observed intermittently” from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12. On Dec. 13, Saturday, Valente allegedly opened fire during a study session at Brown University, killing students Ella Cook and Muhammad Aziz Umurzakov and injuring nine others.
According to police, after the shooting, Neves Valente traveled about 80 miles north to the home of MIT physics professor Nuno Loureiro in Brookline, Massachusetts. Around 9 p.m. local time on Dec. 15, Loureiro’s neighbors heard loud bangs. Loureiro was found with gunshot wounds, taken to a nearby hospital, and died the next day, as per the Norfolk County district attorney’s office.
Chief Perez informed reporters that immediately after killing Loureiro, Neves Valente traveled another 40 miles to a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, where he took his own life. On Thursday, officials found his body wearing the same clothes he had on when he fatally shot Loureiro, along with two firearms and a satchel near his remains.
“We are 100% certain this is our target and that the case is closed in terms of pursuing those involved,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said on Thursday.
Still, Neronha noted the motive for the shooting is unclear, stating, “I don’t think we have any idea why, why Brown? Why these students? Why this classroom? That’s really unknown to us. It may become clear, I hope it does, but it hasn’t so far.”
Who is the suspect?
Officials identified 48-year-old Portuguese national Claudio Manuel Neves Valente as the suspect in both cases. According to university President Christina Paxson, Neves Valente was formerly enrolled at Brown University from fall 2000 to spring 2001 in the Master of Science/Ph.D. physics program, taking a leave in April 2001 and withdrawing in July 2003. She also noted most physics classes likely took place in the building where the shooting occurred. Officials also found connections between Neves Valente and the MIT professor. Attorney General Foley told reporters Neves Valente had “attended the same academic program” as Loureiro in Portugal from 1995 to 2000, stating, “My understanding is they knew each other.” Neves Valente moved to the U.S. in 2017 via a diversity visa lottery program. Under President Donald Trump, Noem instructed USCIS to pause the diversity lottery to “ensure no more Americans are harmed by this flawed program.”
Who are the victims?
Two individuals died in the Brown University shooting. One was Ella Cook, a 19-year-old Alabama native studying French and Mathematics-Economics at Brown, a sophomore. Described by loved ones as having a heart “as large as the sun,” Cook served as vice president of Brown University’s College Republicans. Martin Bertao, president of the College Republicans of America, wrote, “Ella was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart as she served her chapter and classmates. Our thoughts are with her family, Brown CR’s, and the entire campus as they recover from this tragedy.” Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth called Cook a “dedicated Christian and committed conservative who embodied the best of Alabama.” Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman studying biochemistry and neuroscience, was identified as the second victim. Umurzokov’s sister told the Associated Press her brother had a childhood neurological condition requiring surgery. Samira Umurzokova said, “He faced many hardships in life, got into this excellent school, and strived to fulfill the promise he made at seven.” The family’s GoFundMe page stated he dreamed of “becoming a neurosurgeon and helping people,” noting, “He always readily helped those in need and was the kindest person our family knew. Our family is deeply saddened by this loss.” The American Uzbekistan Association released a tribute honoring Mukhammad Aziz, describing him as known for his sharp intellect, kind heart, and quiet willingness to help others, adding, “He carried himself with humility and compassion, earning respect and affection, and his curiosity, discipline, and generosity reflected his character and the values of his upbringing.” The suspected shooter also killed MIT nuclear science and engineering professor Nuno F. Gomes Loureiro, 47. Local resident Anne Greenwald told CBS News Boston Loureiro had a young family. The young professor earned his PhD in physics from Imperial College London in 2005, then worked at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and served as director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center.
