Key Takeaways

• Claudio Valente, 48, was a former Brown University student and Portuguese national.
• He allegedly swapped license plates while on the run.
• Authorities link him to the murder of an MIT professor.
• A Flock AI camera helped identify his vehicle.
• He died by suicide in a New Hampshire storage unit.

Last weekend’s attack at Brown University shocked Rhode Island. Over eleven students were shot, and two died. Authorities named the suspect as Claudio Valente, 48. They say he once studied at Brown and holds Portuguese citizenship. Within days, police connected him to another slaying and used advanced cameras to track him. Ultimately, Valente took his own life in a storage unit in New Hampshire. Here are five facts you need to know.

Background and Identity

First, Claudio Valente is 48 years old. He studied at Brown University years ago but did not graduate. In addition, he was born in Portugal and later became a U.S. resident. His friends and family described him as quiet and private. However, little else is known about his early life. Investigators continue to search for clues about what drove him to violence.

Claudio Valente and the Brown University Shooting

Next, authorities say Valente opened fire on students last Saturday. Eleven were hurt, and two sadly did not survive. Witnesses reported hearing sudden gunshots on campus. Police say Valente drove away in a car he had just altered. He swapped out the vehicle’s license plates to avoid detection. Since the shooting, law enforcement launched a massive search for him across several states.

Claudio Valente’s Link to Another Shooting

In addition, police now suspect Valente in a second killing. They believe he murdered Nuno FG Loureiro, an MIT engineering and physics professor. Loureiro’s body was found at his home outside Boston. Authorities think Valente traveled there soon after the campus shooting. Investigators have not released a clear motive for either crime. Yet they say the two shootings are connected by Valente’s pattern and timing.

High-Tech Identification

Meanwhile, investigators used a Flock camera to spot Valente’s getaway car. Flock cameras use AI to read license plates and track vehicles. Providence’s chief of police confirmed this technology helped pinpoint the suspect’s path. Critics of such cameras say they invade privacy. Still, officials argue they can save lives by quickly locating dangerous criminals. In this case, the AI-powered system proved crucial in narrowing the search area.

The Final Discovery

Finally, on Thursday, authorities found Valente dead in a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire. He had shot himself, and two weapons lay nearby. A satchel full of belongings sat beside him. Police recovered the weapons and evidence bags for more testing. No one else was found at the site. His death closed the manhunt but left many questions unanswered about his motive and plans.

What Happens Next

Although the suspect is gone, the impact lingers. Brown University will remain on high alert this semester. Campus groups plan memorial events for victims. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies will review their use of AI cameras in investigations. Experts predict debates over privacy versus safety will intensify. Families of those hurt hope for answers and support as they begin to heal. The community must now focus on healing and preventing future tragedies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Claudio Valente?

Claudio Valente was a 48-year-old former Brown University student and Portuguese national. He is accused of a mass shooting at Brown and a separate killing of an MIT professor.

How did authorities track him?

Investigators used a Flock AI camera to read his vehicle’s license plate. They then followed leads to a storage unit in New Hampshire, where he was found dead.

What charges did Claudio Valente face?

He faced charges for shooting eleven Brown University students and killing two. He was also a suspect in the murder of an MIT professor.

Why did Valente die by suicide?

Officials say he shot himself in the storage unit to avoid capture. No further details about his state of mind have been released.