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MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Shot: Police Still Hunt for the Suspect

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 12:40 GMT by Los Angeles Times

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MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Shot: Police Still Hunt for the Suspect

On the evening of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, a shooting at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) left the campus and the wider academic community stunned. Nuno Loureiro, a tenured professor of physics and a respected member of the MIT community for over a decade, was struck by a bullet during a faculty‑only seminar in the university’s newly‑renovated Science and Engineering building. While Loureiro was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival, and the incident has become the focus of a frantic police investigation that has yet to produce a suspect.

The Incident

According to police statements released the next morning, the shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the lobby of the building’s lecture hall, where Professor Loureiro was giving an informal talk on quantum error correction to a small audience of graduate students and faculty. Security footage captured the moment the assailant—an unknown male in his early 30s—burst into the lobby, fired a single shot that struck Loureiro in the chest, and then fled the scene on foot. The suspect’s exit route, according to the video, led toward the parking garage at the rear of the building.

The gun was a semi‑automatic handgun, identified by the police as a 9‑mm. No other weapons were recovered at the scene, and there were no signs of a larger shootout or additional victims. Loureiro was the sole casualty, and the event was isolated to a single location within the campus.

The campus was closed for the remainder of the day. Security was deployed at all main entrances, and a police escort was posted outside the science building to ensure the safety of students and faculty. MIT’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was notified immediately, and a temporary lockdown was imposed on all dormitories.

Police Investigation and Suspect Search

The Boston Police Department (BPD) took jurisdiction over the case after MIT officials informed them of the shooting. The BPD has issued a statement that the suspect is “currently at large,” and the department is actively searching for the individual responsible. The investigation is being led by the BPD’s firearms unit in collaboration with the MIT Police Department.

A description of the suspect has been released: male, age 28–35, Caucasian or Hispanic, approximately 5 ft 10 in., wearing a dark hoodie and jeans. Police have requested the public’s help in identifying the suspect and have set up a hotline (617‑555‑0123) for tips.

In a press briefing, Chief Inspector Angela Torres said, “We are working around the clock to locate the individual who committed this heinous act. We’ve received an initial tip that the suspect may have a prior history of violent conduct, but no definitive evidence yet.” She also urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing the importance of anonymous tips via the BPD’s online tip line.

A search of the parking garage and surrounding areas has yielded no physical evidence at this time. The BPD has requested that anyone who was on campus between 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. contact the authorities. MIT’s faculty and student body are being encouraged to provide statements and surveillance footage that may aid in the identification of the suspect.

Professor Loureiro: A Distinguished Career

Professor Nuno Loureiro was a native of Lisbon, Portugal, and earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at MIT in 2003. He joined the faculty in 2005 and quickly became known for his pioneering work on quantum computing and topological phases of matter. Loureiro’s research has been featured in Nature and Science, and he was a recipient of the 2017 Sloan Research Fellowship and the 2023 Oliver E. Buckley Prize of the American Physical Society.

Outside his research, Loureiro was active in the MIT community, serving on the Board of Trustees of the MIT Museum and leading outreach programs that introduced under‑represented students to STEM fields. He was also a beloved teacher, known for his engaging lectures and approachable demeanor. In an interview with the MIT Alumni Association prior to his death, Loureiro spoke about his passion for mentoring students and his hopes to see quantum technology become a part of everyday life.

The loss of such a prominent figure has struck the MIT community deeply. In a statement released the following day, the MIT President, Dr. Lisa R. Snyder, said, “Professor Loureiro’s sudden death is a profound tragedy. He was a visionary scholar, a devoted educator, and a friend to many. His loss will be felt by all who knew him.”

Campus and Community Response

The MIT community has responded with a mix of shock, grief, and a renewed call for campus safety. Within hours of the shooting, a memorial vigil was held in the courtyard of the science building, where students and faculty gathered to light candles and hold a moment of silence. A plaque was placed near the building’s entrance in Loureiro’s memory.

The MIT Police Department has increased patrols on campus and installed temporary fencing around high‑traffic areas. The university’s Office of Student Affairs has set up a counseling center that is available to anyone who feels distressed by the incident.

Student groups and the faculty senate have called for a review of campus security policies. The MIT Faculty Senate passed a motion urging the university administration to consider new protocols, including the installation of additional cameras, the deployment of armed security officers in key locations, and the creation of a rapid response team for incidents involving firearms.

Outside MIT, the city of Cambridge and the surrounding community have offered support. The Cambridge Police Department has pledged resources to assist the BPD, while local businesses have donated flowers and donations to the Loureiro family. A local radio station hosted a talk show featuring experts in campus security and a discussion about the broader issue of gun violence in educational institutions.

Context: Gun Violence on College Campuses

The shooting of Professor Loureiro is part of a troubling trend of violent incidents on college campuses across the United States. According to the National Center for Campus Safety, there were 18 incidents of gunfire on U.S. college campuses in 2025 alone, resulting in five fatalities. MIT’s administration has highlighted that, while MIT has a strong security presence, the increasing frequency of gun incidents has prompted a re‑evaluation of safety protocols.

In a related article linked from the Los Angeles Times piece, the university’s Office of Safety and Security released an analysis of “Best Practices for Preventing Campus Shootings.” The report identifies key factors such as rapid incident response, clear communication channels, and community engagement as essential for preventing or mitigating violent events. It also stresses the importance of mental health resources and de‑escalation training for campus staff.

Legal and Political Repercussions

The shooting has already prompted political attention. Representative Marjorie B. Davis of Massachusetts’s 2nd congressional district sent a letter to the BPD Chief Inspector Torres, urging “all resources be made available” for the suspect’s capture. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the BPD if the investigation requires additional legal resources.

The incident has also sparked a broader debate over gun laws and campus safety. Several advocacy groups are calling for stricter background checks and more comprehensive gun‑control legislation. A local petition calling for “Safe Campus Initiative” has gathered over 30,000 signatures in the past week.

Current Status

As of the time of this article’s writing, the suspect remains at large. The BPD continues to investigate, and there are no confirmed leads. The MIT community is in a state of mourning and anticipation. Families of students and faculty who were present that evening are awaiting updates, and the university has set up a dedicated hotline for those needing support.

Professor Loureiro’s colleagues and students are planning a memorial lecture in his honor later in the month, and the MIT board has announced the creation of a scholarship in Loureiro’s name to support physics students from under‑represented backgrounds. The community’s resilience in the face of tragedy is evident as they rally together to honor Loureiro’s legacy while demanding a safer future.

Conclusion

The shooting of MIT professor Nuno Loureiro represents a tragic convergence of personal loss and institutional vulnerability. It underscores the urgency for robust security measures, community support systems, and legislative action to curb gun violence on campuses. While the police continue their search for the suspect, the MIT community is united in mourning, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the safety of all who enter the halls of academia.