Scott Watson, a former Brown classmate and now a Syracuse University physics professor, described Claudio Manuel Neves‑Valente as socially awkward and often angry while at Brown. Watson recalled Neves‑Valente complaining about life in the U.S., coursework and campus dining, and once calling a classmate his "slave," prompting a fight Watson broke up. Despite that, Watson remembered kinder moments, including dinners at a nearby Portuguese restaurant. Authorities have identified Neves‑Valente as the suspect in the Dec. 13 Brown shooting and the Dec. 15 killing of MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro.
Former Brown Classmate Recalls Suspect as ‘Socially Awkward’ and Often Angry During College
A law enforcement official walks past articles of clothing on a sidewalk near an entrance to Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, Rhode Island, during the investigation of a shooting.
A former Brown University classmate of the man identified as the suspect in the Dec. 13 Brown campus shooting and the Dec. 15 slaying of an MIT professor remembers him as "socially awkward" and frequently frustrated while they were students.
Scott Watson, now a physics professor at Syracuse University, told Fox News he met Claudio Manuel Neves‑Valente when they began at Brown in 2000 and described himself as Neves‑Valente's "only friend" at the time. Watson said the Portuguese national often voiced dissatisfaction about life in the United States and about campus life.
"During his time at Brown, I was essentially his only friend. He was socially awkward, and so was I, which I think is why we connected," Watson said. "During orientation he was sitting alone, and I walked up and said hello. He was terse at first, but we eventually broke the ice and became close."
Watson said Neves‑Valente frequently complained that Brown coursework was too easy for him and remembered him as academically advanced but often irritable. "He already knew most of the material and was genuinely impressive," Watson said.
Watson also recalled troubling conduct toward another student, saying Neves‑Valente would insult a classmate and once called him his "slave," a confrontation that led Watson to intervene and break up a fight.
Despite those moments, Watson said Neves‑Valente had a more gentle side and enjoyed community dinners. "I have genuinely fond memories of dinners with him at a local Portuguese restaurant near campus," Watson said. "He could be kind and gentle, though he often became frustrated — sometimes angry — about courses, professors and living conditions."
The two last spoke when Neves‑Valente decided to leave Brown. Watson said he tried to persuade him to stay; Neves‑Valente told Watson he was returning to Portugal, though investigators now say that may not have been the case.
Connection To Recent Killings
Authorities have identified 48‑year‑old Claudio Manuel Neves‑Valente as the suspect in the Dec. 13 Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine others wounded. He was later confirmed as the suspect in the Dec. 15 fatal shooting of MIT nuclear science professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, who was found shot in his Brookline, Massachusetts, home.
Brown University President Christina Paxson said Neves‑Valente was a Portuguese national who studied physics at Brown from fall 2000 through spring 2001 and formally withdrew from the program in 2003. He had no recent affiliation with the university at the time of the campus shooting.
"I am shocked this has occurred," Watson said.
Fox News reporters Jennifer Johnson, Brooke Taylor and Stepheny Price contributed to the original coverage.
