A tragic mass shooting at Brown University has been attributed to a lengthy grudge held by the alleged gunman, Claudio Valente, according to law enforcement sources that spoke with ABC News. The shocking incident unfolded on December 13, when Valente opened fire in a study group located in Brown's engineering and physics building, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuring nine others. Following this harrowing event, he fatally shot MIT professor Nuno Loureiro at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
In a chilling video recorded in his native Portuguese, Valente articulated his motivations for the shooting. Sources indicate that he had been planning the attack for an extensive period, which has raised concerns about the mental health and motivations of former students at elite institutions. The violence sent shockwaves throughout the nation and initiated a six-day manhunt that spanned across New England, just days before Christmas.
Valente ultimately took his own life before authorities could apprehend him, with his body discovered in a storage facility in New Hampshire. Federal agents have since been meticulously examining electronic devices found alongside his remains and in a nearby storage unit. Investigators have disclosed that there are still additional devices to analyze, indicating that more information is likely to emerge about the twin shootings that have cast a dark shadow over two of the nation's prestigious universities.
In the videos released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Valente exhibited no signs of remorse. Instead, he expressed anger towards the innocent victims of his violent actions, blaming them for their deaths and lamenting a self-inflicted injury he sustained while shooting Professor Loureiro at close range. This disturbing revelation sheds light on his mindset leading up to the attacks.
The ongoing investigation into the motives behind these tragic shootings continues, with the U.S. Attorney's Office stating that Valente did not provide a clear rationale for his actions based on an initial review of the evidence. However, law enforcement sources have reported that he described harboring 20-year grudges that motivated him to acquire firearms and travel to New England to execute the shootings.
The tragic events at Brown University and the murder of Professor Loureiro have not only shocked the local community but have also raised broader questions about the safety and mental health of students at elite universities. As the investigation unfolds, the nation watches closely, hoping for answers and a resolution to the grief that has enveloped these institutions.