Brown University Unveils Campus Security Action Plan Following Post-Shooting Review
An external review by Teneo Risk found the fatal Dec. 13 shooting was likely unpreventable, prompting new campus security investments.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- September 03, 2026
Brown University has launched a comprehensive safety and security action plan following an external review of a fatal Dec. 13 campus shooting, university officials announced.
The review, conducted by global consulting firm Teneo Risk, concluded it was "highly unlikely" the university could have prevented the attack. However, the report outlined several areas where the institution can strengthen its emergency preparedness, response capabilities and physical infrastructure.
Two undergraduate students were killed and nine others were injured when a gunman entered a campus academic building and opened fire during a coursework review session. Law enforcement later identified the shooter as Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a 48-year-old former graduate student who had withdrawn from the university in 2003. Valente was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound five days later in New Hampshire.
Investigators found no indication that Valente posed a threat or had maintained recent contact with university personnel prior to the incident.
The independent review team was co-led by William J. Bratton, former commissioner of the New York City Police Department and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. While the assessment praised the university's immediate response as courageous and effective, it highlighted operational and logistical challenges common during mass casualty events.
A secondary assessment by physical security firm COSECURE evaluated campus facilities and security infrastructure.
In response to the findings, Brown's new action plan targets six primary operational areas:
- Governance and accountability
- Leadership, staffing, organization, and training
- Emergency preparedness and protocols
- Tools and security technology
- External law enforcement partnerships
- Community outreach and engagement
As part of the security overhaul, the university permanently appointed Hugh T. Clements as vice president for public safety and emergency management. Clements previously served 38 years with the Providence Police Department, including 12 years as chief of police.
University leadership plans to share progress updates on the action plan throughout the academic year.