The manhunt for the suspect behind a deadly mass shooting at Brown University ended on December 18, 2025, when authorities found Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire. The 48-year-old Portuguese national, a former Brown student, had been wanted for the massacre that claimed two student lives and injured nine others during an economics review session on the Providence campus. His death also closed the investigation into the subsequent killing of an MIT professor linked to him.
Brown University Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Nine Wounded
At approximately 4:22 p.m. local time on December 13, 2025, a masked gunman opened fire in Room 166 of the Barus & Holley Engineering building at Brown University. The suspect unleashed around 40 rounds using a 9mm firearm, wounding a total of nine students and fatally shooting two — identified as Cook and Umurzokov.
The shooting occurred during an optional economics final review session, catching students and faculty off guard. University officials promptly issued campus-wide alerts, while law enforcement agencies launched a major investigation.
Suspect Linked to Second Fatal Shooting in Massachusetts
Two days later, on December 15, 2025, MIT physics professor Nuno Gomes Loureiro was fatally shot multiple times outside his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Police quickly released images and footage of the person of interest, establishing a connection between this murder and the Brown University attack.
The suspect, Neves-Valente, had been monitored intermittently near the Brown campus in the days leading up to the shooting, as his car was spotted there between December 1 and 12. Authorities believe this prolonged presence suggested premeditation, although the motive remains uncertain.
Intense Manhunt Ends in Suspect’s Death
Following the shootings, the FBI and local law enforcement agencies mounted a five-day nationwide search for Neves-Valente. A $50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture. His last known residence was in Miami, Florida, and he had been a U.S. green card holder since 2017, obtaining permanent residency through the visa lottery system.
On December 18, police executed an arrest warrant at a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire. Neves-Valente was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Alongside his body were two firearms and a satchel, confirming his involvement. He was dressed in clothing matching the description given after the MIT professor’s murder.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated, “We are 100% confident that this is our target, and that this case is closed from a perspective of pursuing people involved.” The Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez confirmed that the same 9mm weapon was used at Brown.
Motive Remains Unclear Despite Thorough Investigation
Despite exhaustive efforts, officials have yet to uncover a definitive reason behind the attacks. “I don’t think we have any idea why now, or why — why Brown? Why these students? Why this classroom? That is really unknown to us,” said AG Neronha. Surveillance footage revealed that the gunman entered the classroom just as the session ended, but no further motive or target rationale has been established.
The attacks targeted educational spaces, yet there is no indication that either the victims or institutions were singled out due to political, ideological, or other identifiable causes. The lack of a clear motive complicates the broader narrative around these violent acts.
No Connection to the Philippines or Its Government
This incident has remained confined within U.S. jurisdiction, involving agencies such as the FBI, Providence Police, and Homeland Security. Philippine government bodies including the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Commission on Audit (COA) have no involvement in the case, given its geographic and legal context.
Furthermore, no Philippine-based organizations, NGOs, corporations, or civil groups have been implicated or affected. Filipino communities, including workers and students in the U.S., may follow the developments with concern, but there have been no reported disruptions or impacts on daily life in Metro Manila or across the archipelago.
Impact and Reflections on Campus Safety
Brown University officials have acknowledged that campus security measures provided limited barriers to the shooter, whose entry points were not fully monitored or restricted. The tragic event raises difficult questions about safeguarding academic environments and balancing openness with protection.
Educators and staff have expressed shock over the violence within a classroom setting, emphasizing the trauma experienced by survivors and the wider university community. Conversations about enhancing surveillance, emergency responsiveness, and mental health resources on campuses are expected to intensify in the aftermath.
Legal Proceedings Concluded as Case Closes
With the suspect deceased, legal authorities have declared the case closed. There will be no criminal trial, but investigations into the shootings’ circumstances, the suspect’s background, and the systemic factors at play may inform future policy and security protocols.
The Brown and MIT communities, along with local and federal law enforcement, face the challenge of healing and prevention — a sobering reminder of vulnerabilities within even the most revered educational institutions.
