A tipster’s account of encounters with the suspect is credited with helping police identify the man believed responsible for shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The suspect, 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in New Hampshire.
Break in the Case
The case gained momentum six days after a shooter unleashed more than 40 rounds inside a Brown University engineering building, leaving the Providence, R.I., community anxious and frustrated. Police announced late Thursday they had located the suspected gunman, who was later determined to have died two days prior, according to the New Hampshire attorney general’s office.
Known only as “John” in a Providence police affidavit, the source is being lauded by investigators for providing key details that led to the identification of the shooter and the subsequent investigation into the killing of an MIT professor in Brookline, Mass., on Monday.
According to police, John had multiple encounters with Valente before Saturday’s attack. John began posting on Reddit, recognizing the person of interest – now identified as Valente – and suggesting investigators look into a grey Nissan rental.
Vehicle Detail Key
Reddit users encouraged John to contact the FBI, which he did. Police learned of the tip on Dec. 16, three days after the shooting and a day after a tip line was established. Prior to this, the affidavit states officials had not connected a vehicle to the possible shooter.
This information led investigators to obtain video footage of a Nissan Sentra with Florida plates and utilize a network of over 70 street cameras operated by surveillance company Flock Safety in Providence.
The affidavit details that John encountered Valente in the engineering building’s bathroom hours before the attack, noting the suspect’s clothing was “inappropriate and inadequate for the weather.” John also encountered Valente outside the building, where he observed Valente turn around from the Nissan when he saw John. This led to a “game of cat and mouse,” with the two repeatedly encountering each other and Valente fleeing.
‘Why are you circling the block?’
John stated he yelled, “Your car is back there, why are you circling the block?” Valente responded, “I don’t know you from nobody,” and repeatedly asked, “Why are you harassing me?” according to the affidavit.
John told police he then watched Valente approach the Nissan again and walked away. “Respectfully, I have said all I have to say on the matter to the right people,” John wrote on Reddit Wednesday night.
As of Thursday, it remains unclear whether John will receive the $50,000 reward the FBI offered for information regarding the Brown University shooting.
Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston field office, indicated it was a possibility when questioned by reporters. “It would be logical to think that, absolutely, that individual would be entitled to that,” he said.
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