The suspect in last week’s mass shooting at Brown University was found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, on Thursday, ending a six-day, multi-state manhunt, authorities announced.
Police identified the man as Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a Portuguese national who attended the university in Providence, Rhode Island, about 25 years ago.
The search for Valente concluded after video evidence and public tips led investigators to a car-rental location, where they matched his name to the person of interest sought in the December 13 shooting. Police later discovered a car near the Salem storage unit containing evidence linking Valente to the scene at Brown.
Officials also believe Valente is responsible for the killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor two days after the initial attack.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha stated that Valente was found with a satchel and two firearms. Preliminary findings indicate he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though officials could not confirm how long he had been in the unit.
“Even though the suspect was found dead tonight our work is not done. There are many questions that need to be answered,” said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Ted Docks. Approximately 500 FBI agents were deployed to assist local authorities in the investigation.
By James Kisoo
