PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — December 19, 2026 Brown University shooter targeted symbolic victims FBI says The FBI confirmed that Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the gunman found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility after a manhunt, targeted victims at Brown University due to symbolic ties to his personal grievances. Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 34-year-old Portuguese national, was discovered deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on December 18 at a storage facility in New Hampshire, ending a multi-state search. Authorities linked him to a planned attack at Brown University, where investigators say he intended to target individuals connected to unresolved grievances.
The FBI emphasized that Valente’s motives appeared deeply personal, though specific details about the nature of his grievances remain under investigation. His death marked the conclusion of an intensive manhunt spanning Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Investigation and Manhunt
The search for Valente began after authorities identified him as a person of interest in connection with threats against Brown University. Law enforcement tracked his movements from Boston to New Hampshire, where he was ultimately found in a storage unit.
Neves Valente had no known prior criminal record, but investigators uncovered evidence suggesting meticulous planning. The FBI declined to specify whether he had accomplices or how he selected his intended targets.
New Hampshire State Police assisted in the operation, securing the storage facility before confirming Valente’s death. "This was a coordinated effort to prevent potential harm," an FBI spokesperson stated.