Brown University Shooting Suspect Found Dead in New Hampshire

A recent tragic shooting at Brown University involved the loss of two students and injury to nine others. The incident occurred on December 16, 2023, in a classroom at Barus and Holley Hall during an economics class review session. The board houses the university’s engineering school and physics department.

Suspect Identified and Found Dead

Authorities have identified Claudio Neves Valente, 48, as the suspect in this horrific act. He was located deceased in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire. Valente was a former Brown student and a Portuguese national, last known to reside in Miami.

Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez confirmed this information during a news conference. The police tracked Valente’s movements using video surveillance, which directed them to a car rental agency in Massachusetts.

Brown University Community Response

The announcement of Valente’s death brought relief to the Brown University community and surrounding Providence area. Students and residents expressed a sense of relief after enduring five days filled with fear and uncertainty.

Brown University President Christina Paxson stated that Valente attended the institution in the early 2000s and studied physics. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley emphasized the easing of anxiety for local residents post-discovery.

Details of the Shooting Incident

The shooting transpired around 4 p.m. on a Saturday when students gathered for an important class ahead of final exams. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots moments before Valente, wearing a face mask, entered the classroom and opened fire.

• Victims:
  • Ella Cook, 19, from Birmingham, Alabama, was serving as vice president of Brown’s college Republican club. She was remembered for her outgoing spirit and strong character.
  • Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a naturalized citizen from Uzbekistan, aimed to become a neurosurgeon and was enthusiastically engaged in his studies.
• Injuries: Nine students sustained injuries during the incident.

Community Support Following the Tragedy

In the wake of the shooting, Brown University canceled all remaining in-person exams for the fall semester. This decision was made to prioritize the well-being and support of students and faculty dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.

Community members are rallying together, offering support to those affected. The sentiments of mourning and solidarity permeate the campus as they process this unimaginable loss.

This incident serves as a painful reminder of the challenges faced by educational institutions in ensuring safety for their communities.