Brown University Shooting: Suspect Found Dead in New Hampshire, Two Students Confirmed Dead
Table of Contents
The suspect in the tragic shooting at Brown University on Saturday, december 16th, has been found deceased in a New Hampshire storage unit, bringing an end to a five-day search and offering a measure of relief to the Providence community.Authorities identified the suspect as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a former Brown student and a Portuguese national.
Manhunt Concludes After Days of Uncertainty
The body of Valente was discovered Thursday night at a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, alongside firearms, Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez announced at a press conference. The discovery followed a multi-state investigation that began instantly after the shooting, with authorities focusing on Valente after identifying him as a person of interest through surveillance footage and financial records.
“tonight our Providence neighbors can finally breathe a little easier,” stated Mayor Brett Smiley. However, this relief is deeply intertwined with the profound grief over the loss of two students: Ella Cook, 19, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18.
The initial hours following the shooting were marked by uncertainty. Authorities released surveillance images of a person of interest and offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to their identification and arrest. A different individual was initially investigated but was later cleared. Investigators meticulously searched the area surrounding the campus, even sifting through freshly fallen snow for clues. Additional video footage and maps detailing the suspect’s movements were released throughout the week.
Shooting at Barus and Holley hall
The shooting unfolded at approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday in Barus and Holley Hall, a classroom equipped with stadium-style seating were students were preparing for final exams with an economics review session. the building also houses the university’s school of engineering and physics department. Witnesses described a man wearing a face mask entering the classroom and opening fire.
A physics graduate student, identified as Ref Bari, recounted the terrifying experience to NPR’s “Here and now.” “There were rumors that the shooter was out on the street, like feet from us, and it was so terrifying,” Bari said. He described seeking shelter in a bathroom with other fleeing students and attempting to contact police, onyl to be informed that the number of active shooters was unknown.”It’s just this feeling of helplessness,” Bari added, “There’s no Superman who’s going to save the day. It’s you and your friends.”
Remembering the victims
Ella cook, a 19-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, was the vice president of Brown’s college Republican club. Described as having “a heart as big as the sun” and possessing “silent leadership,” Cook was known for her courage, wide-ranging interests, and dedication to her studies in French and Mathematics-Economics. She was remembered at the cathedral Church of the Advent as “an incredible, grounded, faithful, bright light.” Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth posted on X that Cook “represented the very best of Alabama.A bright future was ended much too soon.”
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, 18, a naturalized citizen who immigrated to the United States from Uzbekistan in 2011, was mourned by the U.S. embassy in Uzbekistan as a loss of “a bright future.” A freshman at Brown, Umurzokov aspired to become a neurosurgeon and attended the economics review session simply out of a thirst for knowledge, despite not being enrolled in the course. According to a freshman, Shane Toomey, Umurzokov “could hold a conversation with anybody about just about anything and then pivot to something entirely different,” and “seemed to be friends with every single person you walk by on a campus of thousands of people.”
University Response and Support
In response to the tragedy, Brown University canceled all remaining in-person exams for the fall semester on Sunday. The decision was made to prioritize the well-being of the community and provide support to those grappling with sorrow, fear, and anxiety. The university is focused on providing care and resources to students, faculty, and staff as thay navigate this difficult time.
