Brown University has placed its top campus safety official on administrative leave as federal authorities begin examining the school’s response to a deadly shooting that occurred earlier this month.
University President Christina H. Paxson confirmed Monday that Rodney Chatman, vice president for public safety and emergency management and the university’s police chief, has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. The decision comes as the U.S. Department of Education opens a formal review into whether Brown complied with federal campus safety requirements following the December 13 attack.
The shooting took place inside the Barus and Holley engineering complex and resulted in the deaths of two students, with nine others injured. To oversee campus security operations during the review period, the university has appointed former Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements as interim head of public safety. Clements will also lead an internal evaluation of the university’s response to the incident.
Federal Review Focuses on Campus Safety Compliance
The Department of Education confirmed that its investigation will assess Brown’s adherence to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, a federal law that mandates timely emergency notifications, crime reporting, and transparent security practices at institutions receiving federal aid.
In a public statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that student safety remains a priority, stating that institutions benefiting from federal funding are expected to meet strict legal standards. If violations are identified, the department has the authority to issue financial penalties or require policy reforms.
Brown University officials said the school intends to cooperate fully with federal authorities and will submit a formal response as part of the review process.
University Details Immediate and Long-Term Actions
Following the incident, Brown initiated several measures aimed at strengthening campus security. According to Paxson, a rapid-response team has been assembled to manage safety concerns during winter break and prepare for the Spring 2026 semester. The university has also engaged former U.S. attorney Zachary Cunha to help coordinate communication with law enforcement agencies.
University officials reported that most of the injured victims have since been discharged from the hospital, with two individuals still receiving medical care.
Regarding emergency communications, Brown stated that its alert system successfully delivered messages to more than 20,000 recipients within minutes of the shooting. The university clarified that outdoor sirens were not activated, as they are designed for broader emergencies such as severe weather rather than active shooter situations.
Security Infrastructure Under External Review
Brown has announced two separate evaluations moving forward: an internal after-action report and an independent, third-party review of campus safety infrastructure. Both assessments will be conducted by external experts and monitored by a committee from the university’s governing body, with selected findings to be released publicly.
The external review will examine building access controls, surveillance coverage, and security technology across campus. While the university maintains more than 1,200 security cameras, officials acknowledged that not every interior space across Brown’s 250-plus buildings is monitored. The engineering facility involved in the shooting was accessible at the time of the incident.
Broader Context of the Investigation
Authorities have identified the suspected shooter as 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente, who was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Law enforcement agencies have also connected him to the fatal shooting of an MIT professor at a nearby residence.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley noted that the engineering building sits at the edge of the university’s campus, allowing the suspect to leave the area quickly after the attack.
The investigation unfolds amid a complex relationship between Brown University and federal officials. Earlier this year, the university reached a multimillion-dollar agreement with the federal government to restore certain funding, committing $50 million over a decade to workforce development initiatives across Rhode Island.
As federal and independent reviews continue, university leaders say their focus remains on transparency, accountability, and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
