Investigators say a detailed Reddit post from an eyewitness became a decisive factor in identifying the suspect responsible for a deadly shooting at Brown University and the fatal killing of an MIT physics professor days later. Law enforcement affidavits outline how online community vigilance, combined with traditional investigative methods, helped narrow the search for Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a former graduate student with past academic ties to both institutions.
The shootings left two Brown University students dead and nine others injured, while a separate attack resulted in the death of an MIT faculty member at a private residence in Massachusetts. Authorities later located the suspect deceased inside a storage unit in New Hampshire, bringing an end to an interstate investigation that unfolded rapidly across New England.
Suspect’s Academic Background and Immigration History
According to investigators, Valente entered the United States in August 2000 under an F-1 student visa to pursue graduate studies at Brown University. Records show he was enrolled in the university’s PhD physics program for a limited period before withdrawing several years later. Brown University’s graduate programs and international student policies are outlined publicly on its official website at https://www.brown.edu, which details enrollment requirements and academic expectations for international scholars.
Authorities also confirmed that Valente previously studied in Portugal during the same academic period as the MIT professor who was later killed. MIT’s Department of Physics, accessible at https://physics.mit.edu, documents the collaborative and international nature of physics research programs that often span institutions and countries.
Years after leaving Brown, Valente adjusted his immigration status through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which is administered by the U.S. government and explained on https://www.usa.gov. The program typically grants approximately $50,000 visas annually through a lottery system designed to diversify lawful permanent residency in the United States.
Online Tip Emerges as Investigative Breakthrough
Investigators say the case took a significant turn when an anonymous source alerted authorities to a post on Reddit describing suspicious activity near the Brown University campus shortly before the shooting. The post appeared on a local subreddit hosted on https://www.reddit.com, a platform frequently used by residents to share real-time observations and safety concerns.
The eyewitness described a gray Nissan with Florida license plates parked near campus buildings and provided specific behavioral details that had not yet been publicly released by law enforcement. These observations allowed investigators to cross-reference vehicle data, surveillance footage, and travel patterns across state lines.
Eyewitness Interaction Raises Early Alarm
Court documents describe how the Reddit user, identified only as “John,” encountered the suspect multiple times on the day of the shooting. The witness noted unusual clothing that appeared inadequate for winter conditions and a face covering that concealed much of the suspect’s features. The witness later followed the individual near the Rhode Island Historical Society, whose location and public mission are documented at https://www.rihs.org.
The detailed account provided by the eyewitness helped authorities reconstruct the suspect’s movements in the hours leading up to the attack. Officials stated that while the suspect could not be prosecuted due to his death, the information collected through community cooperation played a crucial role in providing answers for victims’ families and advancing the investigation.
