Brown University Completely Outsmarted by Homeless Man Who Cracked the Case Wide Open [WATCH]

Authorities searching for answers after a deadly shooting at Brown University say the case only came together after an unexpected tip from a homeless man who noticed details investigators had missed.

For four days following the shooting, law enforcement agencies reviewed hundreds of surveillance cameras and deployed elite investigators, yet were unable to identify a suspect.

Brown University, one of the nation’s wealthiest institutions, became the center of an intensive investigation that yielded few leads until the man, publicly identified only as John, came forward.

Brown University and Providence officials were completely outsmarted by a homeless man living in the school’s basement.

It costs $70,000 to attend Brown.
They have 800+ cameras.
Four days went by, and they still couldn’t find the shooter.

The case had to be solved by someone…

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 19, 2025

State and federal officials now credit John with providing the key information that led investigators to identify Claudio Neves Valente as the suspect in the Brown University shooting, as well as a separate killing of an MIT professor that occurred days later.

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According to the New York Post, federal officials say John is likely “entitled” to a $50,000 reward.

“He blew this case right open,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said.

John’s role in the investigation became public after police released his image and asked for help locating him.

By that point, John had already drawn attention online. According to court records, he posted on Reddit after recognizing the suspect from police images circulated following the Brown shooting.

“I’m being dead serious,” the post said.

“The police need to look into a grey Nissan with Florida plates, possibly a rental.”

In the post and later statements to investigators, John described behavior that struck him as suspicious. He said he watched the suspect approach a grey Nissan, unlock it using a key fob, then abruptly back away and relock it.

🚨 According to a Reddit post, the Brown University custodian, aka the homeless man, repeatedly warned police about the suspect, and they did nothing. pic.twitter.com/0pNZhJXxdY

— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) December 20, 2025

John said the man then circled the block, prompting him to check the license plate.

At the time, investigators had not confirmed any vehicle connected to the suspect.

Authorities later verified that Valente had been driving a rental car matching the description provided by John.

That information allowed investigators to narrow their focus and connect additional surveillance footage and records to Valente.

Court documents show John also told investigators he had encountered Valente earlier inside a bathroom at Brown’s engineering building. He noted that Valente’s clothing appeared “inappropriate and inadequate for the weather.”

Sources told Fox News that John had been living in the basement of the engineering building at the time, a fact university officials were reportedly unaware of.

That circumstance placed him in proximity to the suspect during critical moments before and after the shooting.

John later described a tense encounter outside the building, according to an affidavit.

He said he followed Valente and confronted him about the vehicle.

“Your car is back there, why are you circling the block?” John yelled, according to court records.

Valente responded angrily, telling John, “I don’t know you from nobody,” and accused him of harassment before walking away.

Federal investigators said the information John provided proved decisive in breaking the case.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said the tip met the criteria for a federal reward.

“It would be logical to think that, absolutely, that individual would be entitled to that,” Docks said.

🚨 BREAKING: It’s been confirmed that a HOMELESS MAN blew the Brown University shooting case “wide open” through a Reddit post, named John

He called the tip line and flagged his OWN Reddit post, and was seen on video walking very close to the shooter

The man might get the $50K… pic.twitter.com/pr1j40UtOZ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 19, 2025

The case has drawn attention not only for the crimes involved but also for how it unfolded.

Despite extensive institutional resources and days of investigative work, authorities said the critical break came from an individual living on the margins, whose observations filled gaps left by technology and formal investigative efforts.

Officials have not disclosed when or how John may receive the reward, nor have they released further details about his current status.

Law enforcement sources indicated the investigation into Valente’s alleged actions remains ongoing, with prosecutors continuing to review evidence related to both killings.