Brown University Retains Former U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha Amid Legal Challenges Following Deadly Campus Shooting
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University has enlisted the expertise of former U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha as it braces for potential legal action following the fatal shooting on its campus earlier this month. The December 13 incident, which resulted in the deaths of students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, has thrust the Ivy League school into intense scrutiny over campus security measures.
Cunha, who served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island until his resignation in February 2025, was retained to assist Brown in coordinating efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The university emphasized that it routinely works with outside counsel to complement its internal legal team, and Cunha’s appointment reflects the gravity of the situation.
“Brown works routinely with outside counsel whose expertise complements that of the University’s Office of the General Counsel,” the university stated. “In this case, we retained Zachary Cunha, the former United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, to assist the University in coordinating with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.”
The suspected gunman, Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, a Portuguese national who attended Brown briefly in 2000-2001, was found dead last week. Authorities have yet to determine a clear motive for the attack, which took place inside an academic building. The tragedy has prompted widespread criticism of Brown’s security infrastructure, particularly the absence of surveillance cameras in critical areas of the campus.
Investigators spent several days canvassing the surrounding neighborhood for external surveillance footage to aid their inquiry. Experts like Eric O’Neill, a cybersecurity specialist and former FBI operative, have noted that Brown might have benefited from integrating its video feeds with Providence’s Real Time Crime Center, a $1 million initiative designed to enhance public safety through coordinated surveillance.
In response to the shooting and ensuing criticism, Brown placed Rodney Chatman, its vice president for public safety and emergency management, on immediate leave. Hugh T. Clements, former chief of the Providence Police Department, has been appointed interim head of campus safety.
Zachary Cunha’s background includes a nomination by President Joe Biden in 2021 to serve as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island. He resigned after being directed by the subsequent administration, as documented by the Department of Justice. Currently, Cunha is a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP, where he specializes in litigation and government matters.
As Brown prepares for possible lawsuits related to the shooting, the university’s decision to bring Cunha on board underscores the complex legal and security challenges it faces. The incident has reignited conversations about campus safety nationwide, with many institutions reevaluating their own protocols.
For ongoing updates on campus safety and federal legal proceedings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to provide resources and support to local agencies.
Brown’s engagement of a high-profile former federal prosecutor signals its commitment to navigating the aftermath of this tragedy with a coordinated and informed approach.
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