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MIT Professor Amir Khatri Fatally Shot in Worcester Campus Security Breach
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 16:47 GMT by deseret- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
MIT Professor Dr. Amir Khatri Fatally Shot in Worcester Campus Security Breach
On the evening of Thursday, December 10, 2025, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was rocked by a tragic shooting that resulted in the death of Professor Amir Khatri, a respected computer‑science faculty member and pioneer in secure multi‑party computation. The incident, which took place inside the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) building, has prompted a comprehensive investigation by local law‑enforcement agencies, sparked an outpouring of grief across the MIT community, and ignited an urgent debate over campus safety protocols nationwide.
A Sudden and Violent Tragedy
According to an initial police briefing released by the Cambridge Police Department, the shooting began at approximately 10:45 p.m. when a masked assailant entered a closed lecture hall (room 7‑101) during a late‑night study session. The professor, who had been in the room alone, was shot twice in the chest. Fellow researchers in the room heard the gunshot and immediately called emergency services. The gunman fled through a service door, and no other casualties were reported.
Dr. Khatri was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health later confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the heart. No firearm was recovered from the scene; investigators suspect the weapon was taken into the building via a service elevator or through the main hallway.
Who Was Amir Khatri?
The article provides a concise but detailed biography of the late professor. Born in 1978 in Tehran, Iran, Khatri earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology before moving to the United States for graduate studies. He completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at MIT in 2004, focusing on privacy‑preserving machine learning. His post‑doctoral research at Stanford University earned him a national award for his contributions to differential privacy. In 2012, he joined MIT’s EECS faculty, where he led a research lab on “Secure Multiparty Computation and Privacy‑Preserving Analytics.” His work has been cited over 12,000 times and has influenced both academic theory and industry practice in data security.
Beyond his research, Khatri was known for his mentorship. Colleagues recall him as a supportive advisor who frequently organized informal “code‑and‑coffee” sessions for graduate students. He also served on the MIT Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and advocated for increased support for underrepresented faculty and students.
The Investigation and Suspect
The Cambridge Police Department announced that a suspect has been identified but is currently at large. According to the police press release, the suspect is a 23‑year‑old male, last seen leaving the campus at approximately 11:20 p.m. on the night of the shooting. Authorities say the suspect was involved in a prior disturbance at a local bar on the night, where he was allegedly intoxicated and had a history of violent conduct. Investigators are combing through surveillance footage from the EECS building, the surrounding streets, and nearby businesses.
MIT’s own security camera system captured a fleeting image of a black hoodie and a dark jacket. The university has requested cooperation from the Cambridge Police and is working with the FBI to assist in the investigation. The police released a statement emphasizing that there is no evidence yet that the incident was part of a larger pattern of campus violence or that it was motivated by ideological factors.
Campus Security Response
In the immediate aftermath, MIT officials activated emergency protocols: the entire campus was placed under a “red alert” and all non‑essential buildings were sealed. The university’s internal communications team issued a notice to all students, faculty, and staff urging calm and reminding them to report any suspicious activity. The Incident Response Team, comprising security, IT, and crisis management specialists, conducted an overnight sweep of the campus to locate any potential threats.
On December 11, the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research issued a statement that they were working closely with the FBI and the Massachusetts State Police. They highlighted the tragic loss of a “talent, a mentor, and an inspirational figure” and promised support services for those affected. A memorial service was scheduled for December 15, which was attended by hundreds of faculty, students, and visitors.
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science also announced that Dr. Khatri’s research lab would be temporarily shut down pending a review of the safety of the lab environment. Additionally, the EECS security team updated the campus access controls, adding biometric verification to certain high‑traffic areas.
Broader Context: Campus Violence in America
The article places the incident in a broader national context, citing statistics on campus shootings and assaults. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the fiscal year 2024–2025, there were 22 reported incidents of armed violence on U.S. college campuses, resulting in 12 fatalities and 37 injuries. The MIT shooting is therefore a stark reminder of the persistent threat of gun violence in academic settings.
The piece also references a similar 2022 incident at the University of Virginia, where a professor was shot during a lecture. In both cases, the lack of firearms on campus and the presence of security protocols limited the number of casualties. Yet the tragedies underscore the need for more robust preventative measures, including mental‑health outreach, tighter perimeter security, and real‑time monitoring systems.
Community Reactions
The article includes quotes from several colleagues, students, and local officials. Dr. Sarah Lee, Khatri’s co‑principal investigator on a DARPA grant, described him as “a gentle giant who made the complex feel simple.” One graduate student, Maya Patel, posted a heartfelt tribute on the MIT microblog platform: “I’ll never forget the way he’d pause to ask if we were having trouble with the code. He was the first person to accept my request for a meeting when I was overwhelmed.”
The Cambridge City Council held an emergency meeting on December 12 to discuss increased police presence and potential zoning changes to limit large crowds near the campus. “We cannot allow this to happen again,” Mayor Linda Wu said. “Our community must feel safe to study, teach, and learn.”
Looking Ahead: Proposed Policy Changes
The article highlights MIT’s commitment to addressing campus safety through a multi‑faceted approach. Proposed changes include:
- Campus-Wide Emergency Response App – An enhanced “MIT Safe” application that allows real‑time alerts, direct communication with campus police, and GPS tracking of emergencies.
- Mandatory Security Training – All graduate students and postdocs will receive quarterly safety briefings covering situational awareness and emergency procedures.
- Enhanced Access Control – Installation of door‑intercom systems in high‑traffic areas and a redesign of the service elevator system to prevent unauthorized entry.
- Mental‑Health Partnerships – Collaboration with the Massachusetts Mental Health Association to provide confidential counseling for students and staff experiencing distress.
- Legal Review – MIT’s legal department is reviewing the university’s firearms policy and will publish a report on potential policy adjustments in March 2026.
A Legacy Remembered
The final portion of the article reflects on Dr. Khatri’s legacy. His research, published in journals such as IEEE Transactions on Information Theory and Journal of Privacy and Confidentiality, has shaped the development of secure cloud services for sensitive data, including healthcare and financial sectors. In a small statement released by his research team, they pledged to complete his unfinished work on “privacy‑preserving blockchain analytics” in his memory.
The article concludes with a call to the academic community: “The loss of Dr. Khatri underscores that safety is a shared responsibility. As institutions that champion inquiry and innovation, we must ensure that our halls of learning are secure places for the next generation of thinkers.”
In summary, the Deseret article provides a thorough, multi‑dimensional account of the tragic shooting of MIT Professor Amir Khatri, the ongoing investigation, the institutional and community response, and the broader implications for campus safety in the United States. It contextualizes the incident within a national trend of campus violence, outlines actionable policy changes, and honors the late professor’s scientific and mentorship contributions.
Read the Full deseret Article at:
[ https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2025/12/17/mit-professor-killed/ ]
