Police investigate connection between Brown University shooting and MIT professor’s killing.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A significant development in the investigation of a shooting at Brown University has emerged following the discovery of the body of a suspect in New Hampshire. Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old Portuguese national and former Brown student, was found deceased in a rented storage unit. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez, who confirmed that investigators believe Valente acted alone in the violent incidents.

Valente is suspected to be responsible for a mass shooting on the Brown campus that occurred on December 13, where two individuals were tragically killed, and nine others sustained injuries. Additionally, federal authorities have implicated him in the murder of Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was shot at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the Brown incident.

Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that Valente was once enrolled at the university, attending from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001, during which he was part of a graduate program in physics. Paxson emphasized that he has had no current affiliation with the institution and suggested that the connection between Valente and Loureiro might trace back to their studies together in Portugal from 1995 to 2000.

Following initial investigations, the FBI reported no connections between the two shootings. However, a pivotal lead arose when an individual who was acquainted with Valente came forward, aiding authorities in tracking his movements and ultimately identifying him as the suspect. Investigators have noted that Valente employed deceptive tactics, including obscuring license plates, to further conceal his identity while evading capture.

Authorities currently have numerous unanswered questions regarding Valente’s motives, including why he targeted specific individuals and locations. The ongoing investigation has highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces in securing evidence, particularly as certain areas of the university campus lack surveillance coverage.

In parallel, the impact of the shootings has reverberated throughout the academic community. Loureiro, who had joined MIT in 2016, was known for his groundbreaking work in plasma science and fusion energy. His contributions included leading one of MIT’s most significant laboratories, which focused on developing sustainable energy solutions.

Community members and colleagues have expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Loureiro, whose academic and personal legacy is remembered fondly by students and faculty alike. His ambition to tackle significant global challenges through research set a high standard within the academic sphere.

The tragic events at Brown University and the MIT community highlight ongoing concerns regarding safety on educational institutions’ campuses and the complexities involved in addressing such violent incidents.