Brown University Safety Chief Placed on Leave in Wake of Deadly Mass Shooting
Following a tragic mass shooting at Brown University that resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries, campus safety chief Rodney Chatman has been placed on leave as part of a standard review of campus safety measures. The decision, announced by President Christina Paxson, comes amid criticism of the police response, particularly regarding the lack of security cameras in the area where the incident occurred. The U.S. Department of Education is also conducting a review of safety protocols at the university. The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, was identified days after the shooting and was later found dead. The university faces scrutiny over its security infrastructure and Chatman's previous employment issues.
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Rodney Chatman, who serves as the vice president for public safety and emergency management at Brown University, was placed on leave effective immediately after the shooting on December 13, 2025, which left two dead and nine injured.
Hugh T. Clements, the former chief of police of the Providence Police Department, has been appointed as the interim safety chief while Chatman is under review.
Criticism has mounted regarding the police's handling of the situation, particularly their slow identification and apprehension of the suspect, which has raised questions about the university's security measures.
President Donald Trump publicly criticized the university for having insufficient security cameras in the shooting area, leading to broader discussions about campus safety standards.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha noted the lack of security cameras in the vicinity of the shooting, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance.
The suspect, Claudio Neves Valente, a 48-year-old who had previously studied at Brown, was discovered deceased in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, six days after the shooting, which raised further concerns about campus safety.
Chatman had a prior employment issue at the University of Utah, where he lost his job due to not meeting necessary credentials, bringing attention to his suitability for the role at Brown University.