A crucial tip from a homeless individual, known only as John, has been hailed as the breakthrough that cracked the investigation into the deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His actions led authorities to the suspected gunman and have now earned him a $50,000 reward.
From Reddit Post to Critical Breakthrough
According to court documents, the investigation was struggling with few leads until John came forward. After police released images, John recognized the individual and posted critical details on Reddit. "I'm being dead serious," he wrote in the post cited by investigators, urging police to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental vehicle.
This specific information became the key that unlocked the case. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha praised the tipster, stating, "He blew this case right open." Using John's tip, authorities reviewed additional surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Claudio Neves Valente, 48.
The Strange Encounter That Raised Alarm
John's involvement began hours before the shooting at Brown University's engineering building, where he was reportedly living in the basement. He told investigators of a strange encounter with Neves Valente inside a bathroom, noting the man's clothing was "inappropriate and inadequate for the weather," which drew his attention.
His suspicion grew when he later saw the same man outside the building exhibiting odd behavior near a parked car. "I know because he used his key fob to open the car, approached it, and then something prompted him to back away," John recounted. "When he backed away, he relocked the car. I found that odd."
John even followed him and called out when the suspect began circling the block, yelling, "Your car is back there, why are you circling the block?" In response, the suspect retorted, "I don't know you from nobody," and repeatedly asked why he was being harassed.
Case Closure and Reward Confirmation
The investigation moved rapidly after John's vehicle description provided the crucial lead. Nearly 24 hours after this breakthrough, authorities located Claudio Neves Valente. He was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shootings had left two Brown University students dead and an MIT professor killed two days later. Federal authorities have confirmed that John is entitled to the full $50,000 reward offered in the case, citing his pivotal role in solving the tragic incidents.
