Smiley urges FBI to pay Brown shooter witness full $50,000

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel Friday urging the agency to pay “John,” the man who identified the Brown University shooter, the full $50,000 reward for identifying Claudio Manuel Neves Valente.

“John is no less than a hero,” Smiley said. “His bravery, selflessness, and stewardship on behalf of the his community went far beyond what anyone could ever hope from a tip.”

Mayor Brett Smiley’s letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. (Mayor Brett Smiley)

“John” was seeking shelter in the basement of Brown’s Barus and Holley engineering building, and that he took note of Valente and later saw his license plate, which led police to identifying him as a suspect.

“John” was also set to receive the Youth Peace And Justice Foundation National Award for Heroism.