A former Brown University student and Portuguese national, Claudio Neves Valente, who was identified as the perpetrator behind the tragic shootings that claimed the lives of two Brown University students and an MIT professor, had reportedly premeditated the attacks over six semesters, revealed the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday.
After perpetrating the shootings that left two students dead and nine others injured at an engineering building on Dec. 13, followed by the killing of MIT Prof. Nuno F.G. Loureiro in Brookline two days later, Neves Valente was found deceased in a storage facility in New Hampshire.
The Justice Department disclosed that a search of the storage facility where Neves Valente’s body was discovered led to the recovery of an electronic device containing a series of brief videos made by the shooter post the violent incidents.
In the recordings, conducted in Portuguese, the shooter confessed to having meticulously planned the Brown University shooting for an extended period without specifying a motive for targeting Brown University or the MIT professor, whom he had known from their time studying in Portugal years ago.
Expressing no remorse, the shooter stated his desire to end his life on his own terms and lamented about sustaining an eye injury during the shootings, emphasizing that he felt no obligation to apologize, as he had never received sincere apologies himself.
Neves Valente, who authorities confirmed had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, articulated his intent to control the outcome of the situation and avoid being the one suffering the most from the aftermath.
Additionally, Neves Valente referenced an interaction with a witness at Brown University, which eventually led to his identification post the shootings. The witness, who had prior encounters with the shooter, alerted the FBI after recognizing images of the gunman, prompting authorities to investigate a gray Nissan linked to the incident.
In his recording, Neves Valente mentioned the witness spotting his license plate, expressing surprise at the time taken by authorities to locate him. He indicated a neutral stance towards the United States, where he had arrived approximately 25 years ago to pursue physics studies at Brown University before departing in 2001.
Having initially studied at Brown on a student visa, Neves Valente later obtained legal permanent residence status in 2017, with his last known address in Miami. Reflecting on his time in various places, he remarked on his detachment towards his surroundings, indicating a long-standing indifference towards his environment.
