Providence Releases Body Cam Footage of Brown University Shooting Response

The video, with redactions, provides a glimpse into the initial police response to the fatal attack that killed two students.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The City of Providence has released 20 minutes of body camera footage showing the initial police response to the fatal mass shooting at Brown University in December 2025. The video, which included multiple video and audio redactions, was part of a public records request that also included the Providence Police Department's incident report and the Providence Fire Department's call log. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and Providence police Col. Oscar Perez said the video is the only one that will be released, as they aim to balance transparency with sensitivity to the victims, their families, and the broader community.

Why it matters

The release of the body cam footage provides a rare glimpse into the police response to a tragic mass shooting incident, offering insight into how law enforcement handles such high-stakes, chaotic situations. However, the extensive redactions also highlight the delicate balance authorities must strike between public transparency and respecting the privacy and trauma of those affected.

The details

The video begins 10 minutes after the initial 911 call and shows Providence Police Lt. Patrick Potter coordinating the response, including directing officers to clear floors, locate students, search for the suspect, and get medical help to victims. The video is full of black boxes and silence, which are visual and audio redactions involving victims and the crime scene. Seven minutes in, Potter and another officer encounter a Brown University maintenance employee, who was later ruled out as a suspect. Sixteen minutes into the video, Potter continues to direct the search, saying they have no information on the shooter's location and will have to 'run around with our tails and our heads cut off' until they get more details.

  • The video begins at 4:16 p.m. on December 13, 2025, 10 minutes after the initial 911 call.
  • The shooting incident at Brown University occurred on December 13, 2025.
  • The shooter, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, then traveled to Brookline, where he shot and killed MIT Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro on December 15, 2025.

The players

Brett Smiley

The Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.

Oscar Perez

The Providence police Colonel.

Patrick Potter

A Providence Police Lieutenant whose body camera footage is featured in the released video.

Claudio Manuel Neves Valente

The shooter who entered a Brown University study session and opened fire, killing two students and injuring nine others.

Nuno F.G. Loureiro

A 47-year-old MIT Professor who was shot and killed by Valente in Brookline on December 15, 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We've tried to find that balance to both be transparent but be sensitive to the effect the video, audio, and written documents will have on a wound that is still very fresh.”

— Brett Smiley, Mayor of Providence (boston.com)

“I'm extremely proud of the rapid response of our officers. As you saw and you heard, the whole department was at Brown University.”

— Oscar Perez, Providence Police Colonel (boston.com)

What’s next

The Providence police investigation into the shooting has been closed, and the body cam video released is the only one that will be made public.

The takeaway

The release of the body cam footage from the police response to the Brown University shooting highlights the delicate balance authorities must strike between transparency and sensitivity when dealing with such traumatic incidents. While the video offers insight into the initial law enforcement actions, the extensive redactions also underscore the need to protect the privacy and well-being of victims and their families.