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U.S. authorities have confirmed that the man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at Brown University and the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor days later has been found dead in New Hampshire. Officials said the discovery ends any immediate threat to the public following a tense, multi day search across several states.

The suspect, identified as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, was found deceased inside a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, with firearms recovered at the scene. Investigators determined that he died from a self inflicted gunshot wound.

Timeline of the Attacks

The investigation centers on two violent incidents that unfolded within days of each other.

Last Saturday, a shooting inside Brown University’s Barus and Holley Building in Providence, Rhode Island, left two students dead and nine others wounded. The attack occurred during an exam review session for a Principles of Economics course, prompting an immediate lockdown and a large scale law enforcement response.

Days later, MIT professor Nuno Gomes Loureiro, 47, was found shot inside his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities now believe both incidents were connected and carried out by the same individual.

Identification of the Suspect

Claudio Manuel Neves Valente was identified as the primary suspect after investigators connected witness accounts, surveillance evidence, and vehicle records. Valente was a 48 year old Portuguese national who had previously studied physics at Brown University in the early 2000s and most recently lived in Miami.

Providence police obtained an arrest warrant charging him with two counts of murder, along with multiple firearms and assault related offenses tied to the Brown University shooting. His identity was publicly confirmed shortly after his body was located.

Discovery in New Hampshire

Law enforcement officials tracked Valente to a rented storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire, after following a trail linked to a rental car originally obtained in Boston. Authorities said Valente repeatedly changed license plates during his movements, allowing him to evade detection for several days.

After securing a federal search warrant, officers entered the storage unit and found Valente deceased. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston stated that there was no longer any danger to the public.

Breakthrough Witness Account

A key development in the case came from a witness who encountered Valente on Brown’s campus before the shooting. The individual reported a confrontation with Valente and later recognized him after news of the attack broke.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha credited the witness with providing critical information that significantly advanced the investigation, allowing authorities to narrow their search and confirm the suspect’s identity.

Academic Background and Possible Connections

Valente had been enrolled in a PhD program in physics at Brown University, with his last recorded class dating back to 2001 before he went on a leave of absence. Brown University President Christina Paxson noted that it was reasonable to assume Valente spent significant time in the Barus and Holley Building during his student years.

Investigators also revealed that Valente and MIT professor Loureiro were believed to have attended the same university in Lisbon, Portugal, earlier in their academic lives. Loureiro was a faculty member in MIT’s departments of nuclear science and engineering and physics, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

Immigration and Legal Status

Authorities said Valente initially entered the United States on a student visa. He later obtained lawful permanent resident status in 2017. Officials have not indicated whether immigration or academic issues played any role in the attacks.

Ongoing Questions and Investigation

Despite the conclusion of the manhunt, investigators emphasized that many questions remain unanswered. No motive has been disclosed, and authorities have not released details regarding Valente’s mental state or possible grievances.

FBI officials stated that Valente is believed to have acted alone, and there is no evidence at this time suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.

Impact on the Academic Community

The shootings have sent shockwaves through academic institutions across the Northeast, raising renewed concerns about campus safety, threat reporting, and the long term mental health support available to current and former students.

Both Brown University and MIT have announced plans to provide counseling and additional security resources for students, faculty, and staff as the communities continue to process the tragedy.

What Happens Next

While the suspect’s death brings a measure of closure, law enforcement agencies will continue reviewing evidence to fully reconstruct the events and determine how the attacks unfolded. Officials said findings from the investigation will be shared as they become available, with a focus on identifying any warning signs that may help prevent similar incidents in the future.