Providence, Rhode Island — A former Brown University student who fatally shot two students and an MIT professor left behind a series of confessional videos detailing his actions, according to new disclosures from the U.S. Department of Justice. Claudio Neves Valente, 48, had a long-standing plan for the attacks, which culminated in violence that shocked the academic community in December.
Neves Valente, a Portuguese national, was found deceased in a New Hampshire storage facility following the killings. On December 13, he opened fire in an engineering building at Brown University, claiming the lives of sophomore Ella Cook, 19, and freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, while injuring nine others. Just two days later, he murdered Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in his Brookline home.
The FBI discovered videos made by Neves Valente during a search of the storage facility, revealing he had been plotting the attacks for at least six semesters. Despite his admissions, he refrained from explaining his motives for targeting Brown University or Loureiro, a figure from his past with whom he had shared academic experiences in Portugal.
In the videos, Neves Valente expressed a lack of remorse for his actions, stating that he had nothing to apologize for, explaining, “Nobody sincerely apologized to me.” He addressed misinformation regarding the shooting, specifically denying claims that he had spoken Arabic during the attack. He described an instance where he expressed disappointment upon finding the auditorium empty and dismissed rumors surrounding his intentions.
Neves Valente asserted that his victims were chosen at random and rejected the notion that he was mentally ill. He highlighted that the videos were not meant to serve as a manifesto or cry for fame. “I never wanted to do it in an auditorium. I had plenty of opportunities, but I always chickened out,” he stated, revealing a conflict between his plans and his actions.
The two students lost their lives on a day that began with Neves Valente planning what he called his “only objective” — to leave life on his own terms. He characterized his approach as “a little incompetent,” yet remarked, “But at least something was done.” Loureiro’s tragic death came two days later, as he was shot at his home. Their shared academic history, tied to a university program in Portugal from 1995 to 2000, added an unsettling layer to the violence.
Brown University released a statement expressing the profound grief experienced by the university community, mourning the loss of the students and wishing for the recovery of those injured. The institution reiterated its commitment to support its students and faculty as they navigate the aftermath of this tragedy.
Eyewitness accounts led to the identification of Neves Valente, catalyzing a police investigation. A witness who had seen him prior to the attack helped authorities connect the suspect to a rental vehicle, underscoring the collaborative effort to piece together events leading to the shooting. Neves Valente shared that he felt he had been confronted by this witness, who informed the police after recognizing him from images released to the public.
Reflecting on his long-term residence in the United States, Neves Valente remarked that he did not harbor strong feelings of affection or animosity towards the country, viewing it similarly to his experiences in Portugal. His comments stood in stark contrast to the chaos he ultimately unleashed, leaving a profound impact on the academic landscapes of both Brown University and MIT.