Providence, Rhode Island, December 19, 2025
The suspect in the tragic killings at Brown University and MIT, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, has been found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was located in a storage facility in New Hampshire after evading capture for several days. Valente was believed to be solely responsible for the deaths of two Brown students and a respected MIT professor. The community continues to mourn the profound loss of young lives and a distinguished academic.
Providence, Rhode Island / Brookline, Massachusetts / Salem, New Hampshire.
Suspect in Brown University and MIT Killings Found Deceased
The individual believed to be responsible for the tragic deaths of two students at Brown University and a distinguished professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been found deceased. Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, was discovered in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, on December 18, 2025, having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, thereby concluding a multi-day search that spanned several states. Authorities have confirmed their belief that Valente is the sole perpetrator of the violence that abruptly ended promising lives within two esteemed academic communities.
Discovery and Circumstances of Death
Valente’s body was located within a rented storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, on Thursday evening, December 18. Law enforcement officials reported that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with two firearms and a satchel containing evidence linking him to the Providence shooting scene recovered nearby. This discovery came after an extensive investigation led authorities to trace Valente’s movements, including his attempt to conceal his rental car’s Florida license plate with a Maine plate. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha expressed confidence in the identification, stating, “We are 100% confident that this is our target, and that this case is closed from a perspective of pursuing people involved.”
The Victims: A Profound Loss
The initial act of violence occurred on Saturday, December 13, at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where two students were fatally shot during a review session in the Barus and Holley building. The victims were identified as Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman. Nine other students sustained injuries in the shooting, with some initially in critical condition, though several have since been discharged or are in stable condition.
Just two days later, on Monday, December 15, the violence extended to Brookline, Massachusetts, where Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was fatally shot at his home. Professor Loureiro, 47, was a highly respected physicist and fusion scientist who directed MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. His untimely death sent shockwaves through the scientific community and the MIT campus.
Connections and Motives Under Investigation
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a Portuguese national whose last known address was in Miami, had a past affiliation with Brown University, having been a graduate student studying physics from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001. He reportedly spent considerable time in the Barus & Holley building, the site of the mass shooting. A deeper connection between Valente and Professor Loureiro has also emerged: both individuals attended the same academic program at a university in Portugal between 1995 and 2000. Valente was reportedly let go from a position at the Lisbon university in February 2000, the same year Professor Loureiro graduated from its physics program. The precise motives that compelled Valente to commit these acts remain under thorough investigation, as authorities piece together the complex narrative behind such profound tragedy.
Law Enforcement Response and Community Reflection
The swift and coordinated response by law enforcement, including local police departments, state police, and the FBI, was instrumental in identifying Valente as the suspect. Investigators utilized surveillance footage from various locations and acted on a critical tip from a witness who encountered Valente near the Brown campus, which ultimately led them to his rental car and then to his identity.
The events have left an indelible mark on the Brown University and MIT communities. Brown University President Christina Paxson conveyed the profound sorrow felt across the campus, acknowledging the immense promise extinguished too soon. The loss of bright young students and a brilliant academic has prompted widespread grief and a renewed focus on community support and safety. While the immediate threat has been neutralized with the discovery of Valente, the quiet cadence of remembrance will continue, inviting reflection on the deeper human meaning of these losses and the pathways that led to such sorrow. The investigation into the full scope of Valente’s actions and motivations persists, aiming to bring clarity to the questions that linger in the wake of such devastating events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the latest news regarding the Brown University and MIT killings?
The individual believed to be responsible for the fatal shootings of two students at Brown University and a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, on December 18, 2025.
Who was the suspect in the killings?
The suspect was identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48, a Portuguese national with a last known address in Miami. He was a former graduate student at Brown University, having studied physics there from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001.
What were the incidents attributed to the suspect?
Authorities believe Claudio Manuel Neves Valente was responsible for fatally shooting two students at Brown University on December 13, 2025, and killing MIT Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro on December 15, 2025.
Who were the victims of the Brown University shooting?
The two students fatally shot at Brown University were identified as Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old freshman.
Who was the victim of the MIT killing?
The victim of the MIT killing was Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, 47, a physicist and fusion scientist who directed MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center.
Was there a connection between the suspect and the MIT professor?
Yes, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente and Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro previously attended the same academic program at a university in Portugal between 1995 and 2000. Valente was reportedly let go from a position at the Lisbon university in February 2000, the same year Professor Loureiro graduated from its physics program.
What was the cause of the suspect’s death?
Claudio Manuel Neves Valente died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Key Features of the Incidents
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Suspect Identified | Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, 48 | Individual |
| Suspect’s Death | Found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on December 18, 2025 | State-level (New Hampshire) |
| Brown University Shooting Date | December 13, 2025 | Local (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Brown University Victims | Two students fatally shot (Ella Cook, Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov), nine others wounded | Local (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| MIT Professor Killing Date | December 15, 2025 | Local (Brookline, Massachusetts) |
| MIT Professor Victim | Nuno F.G. Loureiro, 47 (Physicist, Fusion Scientist, Director of Plasma Science and Fusion Center) | Local (Brookline, Massachusetts) |
| Suspect’s Academic Affiliation | Former graduate student at Brown University (Physics, 2000-2001) | University-level |
| Connection between Suspect and MIT Professor | Attended same academic program in Portugal (1995-2000) | International |
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