A detailed Reddit post from an observant witness played a critical role in helping law enforcement identify the suspect believed to be responsible for two deadly shootings in New England, according to newly released court documents.
An affidavit from the Providence Police Department reveals that information shared on the online forum helped investigators connect the fatal shooting at Brown University with the later killing of an MIT physics professor, ultimately leading authorities to the suspected gunman.
While prosecutors say the suspect will never face trial, officials hope the findings provide clarity and some measure of closure to grieving families and shaken university communities.
A Deadly Weekend in Providence
On Saturday, a shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine others injured, marking one of the most violent incidents on campus in recent years.
The victims were identified as Ella Cook, 19, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, both students at the university. Emergency responders rushed multiple victims to nearby hospitals as campus authorities ordered lockdowns and canceled events amid widespread fear.
At the time, investigators had limited information about the shooter’s identity or motive.
MIT Professor Killed Days Later
Two days after the Brown University attack, authorities responded to a separate fatal shooting in Brookline, Massachusetts—approximately 50 miles from Providence.
The victim was identified as Nuno F. G. Loureiro, a respected physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was found shot to death at his home, prompting federal and local law enforcement to explore potential connections between the two incidents.
According to prosecutors, similarities in evidence and emerging tips soon linked the crimes.
Online Tip Becomes Key Breakthrough
Investigators say a Reddit post submitted by a witness who noticed suspicious behavior helped law enforcement narrow their search.
Details shared online aligned with surveillance footage and other evidence, eventually pointing authorities toward a single suspect. Police later tracked the individual to a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire.
When officers arrived, they discovered the suspect deceased. Officials have not publicly detailed the cause of death.
“While we’ll never be able to prosecute this individual, I hope this result begins to provide some small measure of closure for the victims and their families,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha.
Suspect Identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48.
According to the affidavit, Valente was born in Torres Novas, Santarém, Portugal, and later became a legal permanent resident of the United States.
He entered the U.S. in August 2000 as a graduate student at Brown University on an F-1 student visa, which allows foreign nationals to study full-time at American institutions.
Academic Ties to Both Universities
Court records indicate that Valente and MIT professor Nuno Loureiro attended the same academic program at a university in Portugal between 1995 and 2000.
Valente later enrolled in Brown University’s PhD physics program in the fall of 2000. He took a leave of absence after the spring 2001 semester and officially withdrew from the program in fall 2003.
Authorities have not publicly stated whether academic or personal disputes played any role in the alleged attacks.
Immigration Status and Residency
F-1 visa holders are generally required to leave the United States after completing their studies unless they qualify for another legal status.
According to police records, Valente later received a Diversity Immigrant Visa in May 2017. He was admitted as a lawful permanent resident in September of that year at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program allocates up to 50,000 green cards annually through a lottery system to individuals from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration. The program was temporarily suspended by the Trump administration following heightened national security concerns.
Ongoing Questions and Campus Safety Concerns
While investigators say the case is now closed, many questions remain unanswered, including the suspect’s motive and whether warning signs were missed.
Universities across the region have announced reviews of campus security procedures, emergency response protocols, and threat-reporting systems. Students and faculty have also renewed calls for better coordination between institutions and law enforcement.
Officials emphasize that the investigation relied on cooperation between federal agencies, state authorities, and tips from the public—highlighting how digital platforms can sometimes play a role in modern criminal investigations.
Conclusion
The tragic deaths at Brown University and MIT have left lasting scars on two academic communities. While the suspect will never stand trial, authorities say the investigation has brought clarity to a complex and disturbing case.
As campuses reflect on the events, the focus now turns to supporting victims’ families, strengthening safety measures, and ensuring that warning signs are identified before violence occurs again.