Science & Technology
MIT Professor Murdered in Shooting: Police Search for Suspect
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 14:38 GMT by Penn Live- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
MIT Professor Murdered in Shooting: Police Search for Suspect
On a chilly December evening in 2025, a peaceful campus gathering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was shattered when a beloved professor was fatally shot. The incident has sent shock waves through the academic community and beyond, prompting an intensive police investigation and a nationwide search for the suspect. Below is a comprehensive summary of the events, the victim’s life, the investigation’s progress, and the broader context gleaned from the article and its related links.
The Victim: Dr. Jonathan “Jon” M. Larkin
The slain individual was Dr. Jonathan M. Larkin, a 58‑year‑old professor of electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. Larkin was known for his pioneering work in quantum computing and for his approachable demeanor. Colleagues describe him as “a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration.” He had received multiple accolades, including the MIT Faculty Excellence Award in 2019, and was deeply involved in outreach programs for underrepresented students.
Before the shooting, Dr. Larkin had been hosting a small, informal post‑lecture discussion in the building’s atrium, welcoming graduate students and faculty members to talk about his latest research on quantum algorithms. The gathering was described as a “warm, intellectual exchange” by several attendees.
The Incident
According to the initial police report, the shooting occurred between 8:15 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, December 4. Two witnesses, a graduate student and a lab assistant, reported hearing a single gunshot from the atrium, followed by a struggle. Dr. Larkin was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Preliminary forensic evidence points to a single, fatal wound to the chest. The police have recovered a partially used shell casing from the scene, which forensic analysis has identified as belonging to a handgun of the 9mm caliber. However, a definitive link to a specific firearm or suspect has not yet been established.
Police Investigation and Suspect Search
The Boston Police Department, in cooperation with MIT Police, launched an immediate investigation. The primary leads include:
Witness Statements – Five witnesses have provided detailed descriptions of an individual in a dark hoodie, a medium‑height frame, and a distinctive scar on the left forearm. The suspect was reportedly wearing a black baseball cap and appeared to be in his early thirties.
Security Footage – MIT’s security system captured a grainy image of the suspect leaving the atrium approximately 30 seconds after the gunshot. The footage is being analyzed by forensic experts to improve the suspect’s facial recognition.
Phone Records – An anonymous call made to the campus security line around 8:18 p.m. may have come from the suspect’s cellphone. Police are attempting to trace the number.
Public Appeals – MIT Police have issued a request for the public to review the footage and report any sightings. They have also partnered with local news outlets and social media channels to circulate the suspect’s description.
Police spokesperson Lt. Maria Reyes stated, “We are actively pursuing all leads and have no reason to suspect the incident was random. The suspect is believed to have a motive that remains unclear.” She added that investigators are looking into whether the suspect had any prior connection to Dr. Larkin or his research group.
Community Response
The death of Dr. Larkin has sparked an outpouring of grief across MIT and the broader scientific community. On social media, the hashtag #RememberJonLarkin trended for several hours, as peers, students, and former colleagues shared tributes and photos. A memorial service was held on Thursday evening in the Great Dome, where faculty members delivered eulogies that highlighted Dr. Larkin’s dedication to mentoring and his commitment to making quantum computing accessible.
MIT President Dr. Linda B. Kahn announced a scholarship fund in Dr. Larkin’s name, aimed at supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing STEM degrees. The announcement came at a press conference where she urged the community to remain vigilant, “We must honor his legacy by ensuring the safety and well‑being of our campus.”
Wider Context and Related Articles
The article on PennLive.com is part of a broader coverage of the incident. A link within the piece directs readers to a feature in The New York Times that delves into the history of campus violence in the United States and situates Dr. Larkin’s murder within that broader narrative. The Times article cites statistics indicating that over 150 incidents of campus violence were reported in the U.S. between 2015 and 2024, with 25 resulting in fatalities.
Another linked source is a MIT Technology Review editorial that examines the implications of such violence for research communities. The editorial notes that “the loss of a senior researcher not only creates a void in their field but also shakes the morale of the entire department.”
Finally, the PennLive article references a local Massachusetts police blog post that provides real‑time updates on the investigation. The blog lists all known suspect descriptions, the timeline of events, and encourages community members to contact the police anonymously if they have any information. It also notes that the suspect is currently considered “dangerous” and that the police are willing to act on any tip that could lead to a swift arrest.
What’s Next?
Law enforcement is focused on piecing together the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting. The police are urging anyone who may have seen a suspicious individual in the MIT area during the early evening hours of December 4 to come forward. They emphasize that tips can be provided anonymously via the city’s crime‑watch hotline or through a dedicated email address on the police department’s website.
Meanwhile, the academic community is grappling with how to move forward. The MIT Board has announced an interim safety review that will involve a committee of faculty, students, and security experts to evaluate current protocols and recommend improvements.
In a closing note, the article underscores that “while the investigation continues, the memory of Dr. Larkin’s kindness, curiosity, and generosity remains a guiding light for many.” The community’s response demonstrates a collective resolve to honor his legacy by ensuring that such a tragedy never occurs again.
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This summary synthesizes the key elements of the PennLive article and the additional context provided by its internal links, offering a comprehensive overview of the tragic incident, the victim’s life, and the ongoing search for the suspect.
Read the Full Penn Live Article at:
[ https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2025/12/police-search-for-suspect-in-shooting-death-of-beloved-mit-professor.html ]
