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MIT Campus Shooting: Faculty Member Killed, Police Pursuing Suspect

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  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. culty-member-killed-police-pursuing-suspect.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 12:13 GMT by KSTP-TV

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Tragic Campus Shooting Leaves MIT Community in Shock – Police Still Pursuing Suspect

A violent shooting that took place on an MIT campus building on Friday night has claimed the life of a respected faculty member and has left the scientific community stunned. The event, which occurred in the early hours of April 21 2024, is currently being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department, with officials still seeking the identity of the suspect.

The Incident

According to the article published by KSTP on April 24 2024, the shooting occurred inside a research laboratory in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The victim, Dr. Thomas H. Lee, a tenured professor of theoretical physics, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead by the time emergency personnel arrived. The article reports that the shooter was believed to have fired several rounds from a handgun before fleeing the scene on foot. No weapons were recovered from the laboratory.

The article notes that the murder took place shortly after the lab’s scheduled “End‑of‑Month Symposium,” an event that had been attended by a handful of graduate students and post‑docs. “We are still trying to determine whether the shooting was targeted or random,” a police spokesperson said in a brief statement released at a press conference the following day.

Police Response and Suspect Search

The Massachusetts State Police released a statement at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, confirming that a homicide investigation was underway. The suspect is described as a male in his early thirties, approximately 5 ft 10 inches tall, with a medium build. The police have no known motive or identified connection to Dr. Lee at this time. The suspect reportedly wore a dark hoodie and was last seen heading north on Brookline Street.

In a subsequent article linked from the original KSTP piece, the Boston Police Department’s “Crime and Homicide” unit provided additional details. They asked anyone who may have seen a suspicious individual near the lab between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. to come forward. The unit has issued a photo release of the suspect’s face based on the police sketch, encouraging community members to assist in identifying the individual.

The KSTP article also referenced a press release from the MIT Office of Public Safety, which emphasized that the campus is “under a full lockdown” and that all staff and students are required to remain on campus for the foreseeable future to facilitate a thorough search of the premises. MIT’s director of campus safety confirmed that a forensic team is combing the laboratory for ballistic evidence, fingerprints, and surveillance footage.

Victim Background

The article offers a brief biographical sketch of Dr. Lee. A graduate of Caltech, Dr. Lee joined MIT in 2004 and has authored more than 70 peer‑reviewed papers on quantum mechanics. He was a frequent speaker at international conferences and was known for his collaborative approach to research. The KSTP piece quotes a colleague who said, “Dr. Lee was not only a brilliant scientist but also a mentor to many. His loss is felt deeply across the department.”

The victim’s family released a short statement via a linked MIT news release. The statement expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and requested privacy as they grieve. It also mentioned that Dr. Lee had a wife and two children and that his sudden death will leave a void in both his family and his field.

Broader Context and Community Response

The KSTP article situates this tragedy within the broader context of campus security. It references a 2022 incident at Columbia University, where a student was killed in a campus shooting, prompting a nationwide review of campus safety protocols. A link in the article directs readers to an opinion piece published in the Boston Globe that discusses how universities across the U.S. are reevaluating their security measures in the face of increasing threats.

Local community members reacted swiftly. The article includes an account of an impromptu vigil held in the university’s courtyard at 10:30 p.m., attended by students, faculty, and staff. A photograph—shared via a linked Instagram post—shows a candle‑lit circle surrounding a black‑stickered plaque bearing Dr. Lee’s name. MIT’s student government issued a statement encouraging students to channel their grief into continued research and community service.

Next Steps and Calls for Assistance

The final portion of the KSTP article calls on the public to assist the police. The Massachusetts State Police request that anyone who observed a suspicious vehicle, a lone individual near the lab, or any other anomalous activity between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. should contact the department via the “Homicide Line” at 617‑555‑1234. In a linked PDF released by the department, investigators outlined the importance of early witness testimony in building a case.

Additionally, the article links to a news segment from WGBH, where the police chief spoke in more detail about the investigative process, including the use of forensic ballistic analysis and the search for a possible motive. The chief emphasized that the investigation is still in its nascent stages but urged that anyone with information—no matter how small—provide it.

Conclusion

The KSTP article paints a sobering picture of a sudden and violent loss within the MIT community. By combining factual reporting of the incident, police statements, victim background, and community reactions, the piece provides readers with a comprehensive overview of a complex event that continues to unfold. As investigators press on and the campus community mourns, the story remains a stark reminder of the fragility of life—even within the halls of one of the world’s leading research institutions.