Tipster's Key Role in Solving Brown University Shooting

Sat Dec 20 2025 01:23:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A tipster, identified only as 'John,' provided critical information leading to the identification of Claudio Neves Valente, the suspected shooter involved in the tragic deaths of two Brown University students and an MIT professor.

In a shocking incident outside Brown University, two students were killed, leading to a massive investigation. A tipster, John, was pivotal in identifying the shooter Claudio Neves Valente. His observations and posts on Reddit helped law enforcement connect vital dots, culminating in Valente’s self-inflicted death after the shootings. The series of events raised concerns within the local community, as investigators sought answers amid ongoing anxiety.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Information from a tipster who had a strange encounter with a man outside Brown University was crucial for police in identifying the suspect believed responsible for the shooting deaths of two students and the gunning down of an MIT professor just days later.

Known only as 'John' in a Providence police affidavit, this informant provided investigators with significant details, leading them to suspect Claudio Neves Valente, 48, the gunman who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Following a chaotic scene where more than 40 rounds were fired inside a Brown engineering building, the community of Providence was understandably anxious, with no clear leads in the investigation.

However, John's timely insights turned the investigation around. He blew this case right open, said Rhode Island's Attorney General Peter Neronha, praising John's pivotal role.

Initially, police had no connection between the shooter and any vehicles. John noted he had previous encounters with Neves Valente and mentioned that he recognized the individual from police images circulating in the media. By sharing what he saw on Reddit, he encouraged others to inform authorities.

After submitting a tip, police were able to connect Neves Valente's rental vehicle to the investigation, using surveillance from street cameras across the city. Video footage was instrumental as new evidence emerged showing the suspect fleeing the scene. John's detailed descriptions, including observations about Neves Valente’s unusual clothing for the weather, further corroborated the evidence against him.

As investigators pieced together the timeline, John's accounts of their encounters, described as a 'game of cat and mouse,' became critical. John's brave decision to reach out to law enforcement may earn him a $50,000 reward offered by the FBI, depending on the final judgment of authorities.

Respectfully, I have said all I have to say on the matter to the right people, John remarked on Reddit after being interviewed by police, indicating the sensitive nature of the situation.

Despite the chilling details of the case, investigators express gratitude for the assistance that led them to a swift resolution, an experience that has deeply impacted the local community.