PROVIDENCE, R.I. — New video evidence related to the tragic shooting at Brown University has been made public, providing a clearer picture of the chaotic scene that unfolded last December. The footage, which was released on Monday, has been heavily edited to omit the most distressing images to protect the privacy of the victims and to maintain the community’s trust, according to city officials.
Mayor Brett Smiley emphasized the city’s commitment to transparency and compliance with public records laws. He acknowledged the potential emotional toll the released materials could have on the victims, their families, and the broader community still reeling from the incident. “It is incredibly important to me that the city remains fully transparent, accountable and compliant,” he stated.
The release of this material comes in response to a growing number of requests from media outlets both domestically and internationally for access to body camera footage and other public records tied to the shooting. The newly disclosed audio recordings include a harrowing exchange between Brown University police and city police just moments after the gunfire erupted. Officers detailed the confirmation of gunshots and described a potential suspect still at large.
Additionally, about 20 minutes of body camera footage has been shared, depicting the frantic initial response by law enforcement. The footage shows officers navigating a tumultuous environment, unsure if the shooter remained inside the academic building where the attack occurred. Images reveal scattered belongings, signaling the hurried evacuation of students as officers sought to ensure their safety.
Throughout the recordings, officers can be heard coordinating their efforts, often expressing urgency in their communications. The need for caution was reiterated as they searched for the potential threat inside the building. “Shooter might still be in the building, so use caution alright,” one officer cautioned during the initial response.
The release also included audio interactions between law enforcement and dispatchers, who expressed the seriousness of the situation. “We’ve got victims in this building, get some rescues over here,” one officer relayed, underscoring the immediate danger and the necessity of a quick response.
The city’s decision to publish these records was made only after local families requested a delay until after a memorial service honoring the victims. The tragic day on December 13, when the shooting took place, resulted in the deaths of 19-year-old Ella Cook and 18-year-old Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, along with nine others who sustained injuries.
Among the newly released documentation is a police incident report detailing the emotional responses of victims who were shown images of the suspected shooter, Claudio Neves Valente. Witnesses reported visceral reactions as they identified Valente as their attacker, revealing the lasting scars of trauma this event has caused.
Valente, 48, was not only responsible for the shooting at Brown but was also implicated in the death of MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro before taking his own life days later. Law enforcement officials stated that Valente had meticulously planned his attack over several years, leaving behind confessional videos that offered no clear motive for his actions.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain focused on providing support to the victims and their families, while also working to piece together the full extent and reasoning behind this tragic series of events.