Shooter Planned Attack for Years, Left Video Confessions Behind

The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that Claudio Neves Valente, the man identified as the shooter responsible for the deaths of two Brown University students and an MIT professor, meticulously planned his attacks for several years. Neves Valente, a 48-year-old former student from Portugal, was found deceased in a New Hampshire storage facility following the incidents that occurred in December 2023.

On December 13, Neves Valente opened fire inside an engineering building at Brown University, fatally wounding two students and injuring nine others. Two days later, he killed MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, located nearly 50 miles from Providence. Investigators have confirmed that Neves Valente acted alone during these attacks.

Details of the Attack and Investigation

According to the Department of Justice, the FBI discovered an electronic device containing a series of videos recorded by Neves Valente after the shootings. In these videos, he states in Portuguese that he had been planning the attack on Brown University for a significant period, although he did not specify a motive for targeting the institution or the professor. He expressed no remorse, stating, “I’m not going to apologize because during my lifetime no one sincerely apologized to me.”

Neves Valente further remarked that his aim was to leave on his “own terms” and ensure he would not be the one to suffer the most from the aftermath of his actions. He referred to his execution of the attacks as “a little incompetent” but felt that it at least represented some form of action. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attacks, with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha noting, “There are still a lot of unknowns. We don’t know why now, why Brown, why these students, and why this classroom.”

Connections to Brown University and MIT

Neves Valente was enrolled as a graduate student at Brown University from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001, studying physics. University President Christina Paxson confirmed that he has no current affiliation with the institution. The connection between Neves Valente and Loureiro spans back decades, as both attended a university in Portugal. They were part of the same academic program at Instituto Superior Técnico from 1995 to 2000.

Loureiro, who joined MIT in 2016, was recently appointed to lead the university’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a prominent research facility. He was known for his contributions to clean energy research and his work on the physics of solar flares. While investigators have established a link between Neves Valente and Loureiro through their shared academic history, it remains unclear whether this connection influenced the attacks.

The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover more details about the motivations behind the tragic events. The impact of these shootings has reverberated through both academic communities, prompting discussions regarding campus safety and mental health resources for students.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.