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A Brown University custodian is urging people to trust their instincts after revealing he repeatedly reported a suspicious individual on campus days before a deadly shooting that shook the university community.
Custodian Warned of Suspicious Behavior Weeks Earlier
Derek Lisi, who has worked at Brown University for nearly 15 years, told WPRI that he encountered the gunman more than a dozen times inside and around the Barus and Holley building prior to the Dec. 13 attack.
“Go with your gut feeling,” Lisi said, explaining that something about the man’s behavior felt wrong every time he saw him.
Lisi works at the Engineering Research Center, located close to Barus and Holley, and frequently passes through the building while performing custodial duties.
He recalled seeing the suspect at around 6:20 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and again shortly after 8 p.m. on Dec. 1.
Repeated Reports To Third-Party Security
Lisi said he reported the individual as suspicious on three separate occasions to Event Staff Services LLC (ESS), a third-party security contractor used by the university.
On Dec. 1, Lisi was told by an ESS staff member that their role was limited to covering a specific event. He was informed that the university’s Department of Public Safety might have been notified, but Lisi said he never learned whether any action followed.
ESS declined to comment publicly. However, according to the Boston Globe, ESS president David Madonna stated that investigating suspicious individuals is not part of the company’s responsibilities, noting their duties are limited to ID checks and capacity monitoring during events.
Shooter Identified After Surveillance Release
When police released surveillance images of the suspect, Lisi said he immediately recognized the man and felt overwhelmed.
He contacted the police tip line right away and later met with detectives on Dec. 15.
According to a police affidavit, Lisi identified the suspect—later named Claudio Manuel Neves Valente—based on his distinctive limp, surgical mask, and matching clothing seen in surveillance footage.
Lisi also described unsettling behavior, including the man wandering classrooms, scanning rooms, and moving erratically.
“It felt like I could see him, and nobody else could,” Lisi said, describing the experience as deeply disturbing.
Link To Additional Violence And Suspect’s Death
Police later confirmed that Neves Valente traveled to Brookline, Massachusetts, where he murdered MIT professor Nuno Loureiro at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Authorities said Neves Valente then went to a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, where he was found dead on Dec. 18.
A federal medical examiner ruled his death a suicide by gunshot wound to the head. Ballistics evidence later linked both murders to two pistols recovered from the storage unit.
Concerns Over Campus Security Measures
Although Lisi stressed that the shooter alone is responsible, he expressed concern that security measures failed.
He noted that Barus and Holley are typically locked on weekends, but the building was open-access on the day of the shooting.
“That’s what still doesn’t make sense to me,” Lisi said, adding that additional security cameras might have helped authorities identify the suspect sooner and possibly prevent further tragedy.
A Community In Mourning
Lisi spoke emotionally about the loss of Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, the two students killed in the shooting.
He urged the university to install a permanent memorial to honor them.
“Students should never forget,” he said.
Having worked on campus for years, Lisi described Brown as a close-knit community, emphasizing his strong relationships with students and his commitment to watching out for their safety.
Praise For Tipster And Call For Vigilance
Lisi clarified that he is not the anonymous tipster referred to by police as “John,” a Brown graduate currently experiencing homelessness.
He praised the individual for coming forward, noting that Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said the tip “blew the case wide open.”
Lisi said he spoke publicly to avoid confusion and to keep attention focused on the victims and their families.
Derek Lisi’s account highlights the importance of trusting instincts, reporting suspicious behavior, and ensuring clear accountability in campus security systems.
While no one could have predicted the violence that followed, Lisi’s experience underscores how critical early intervention, communication, and vigilance are in preventing future tragedies.
His message remains simple but powerful: if something feels wrong, say something immediately.
FAQs
How many times did the custodian report the suspect before the shooting?
Derek Lisi reported the suspicious individual three times to a third-party security company before the attack.
Who was responsible for campus security at the time?
Event Staff Services LLC handled event-specific security, while broader campus safety fell under Brown University’s Department of Public Safety.
What message does the custodian want students and staff to remember?
Derek Lisi urges everyone to trust their instincts, report concerns immediately, and never ignore behavior that feels unusual or unsafe.