In a tragic turn of events, the primary suspect in the fatal shooting at Brown University has been found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law enforcement sources. The incident, which occurred during final exams, claimed the lives of two students and sent shockwaves through the academic community.
Suspect Identified and Connection to Second Homicide
Authorities have identified the suspected shooter as Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente, a 48-year-old Brown University student and Portuguese national from Miami, Florida. In a significant development, investigators are now probing potential connections between the university shooting and a separate homicide that occurred earlier in the week.
On Monday, Nuno F Gomes Loureiro, 47, also from Portugal, was shot multiple times at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts, approximately 80 kilometres from Providence. Police sources confirmed they have obtained an arrest warrant for a suspect in that case. A critical piece of evidence linking the two scenes is a rental car matching the same description that was reportedly seen at both locations.
Manhunt and Investigation Timeline
The investigation unfolded rapidly after the shooting at Brown University's Barus & Holley engineering building. A day after the attack, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez released footage of a person of interest in a black mask walking around the campus, possibly "casing" the area before the crime.
On Wednesday, investigators released a photo of another individual believed to have been in close proximity to their primary person of interest, seeking the public's help to identify and speak with them. Chief Perez had earlier stated the killer "could be anywhere" and that they did not know his location or identity.
Some members of the public expressed frustration over the pace of the investigation. In response, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha asserted his belief that the killer would be caught, stating it was "just a matter of time." To expedite the process, the FBI has offered a substantial reward of Rs 41.5 lakh for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible.
Victims and Aftermath
The shooting tragically cut short the lives of two promising students. The victims have been identified as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek-American freshman. The attack occurred during the stressful period of final exams, heightening the sense of fear and disruption on campus.
With the suspected shooter deceased, the investigation now focuses on establishing a clear motive and definitively linking the two violent incidents. The connection to Portugal is notable, as it is the same nationality as the suspect and the victim in the Brookline case. Authorities continue to piece together the timeline and circumstances that led to this double tragedy.
