BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) - A professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was fatally shot at his home near Boston, prompting authorities to launch a homicide investigation.
Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was shot in his home Monday night and died the following day in a local hospital, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's Office.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no suspects had been taken into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Loureiro had joined MIT in 2016 and was appointed last year to lead MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, a facility aimed at advancing clean energy solutions. At that time, he was in charge of over 250 staff members across seven buildings.
Born in Viseu, Portugal, and educated in Lisbon and London, Loureiro was regarded as a highly esteemed researcher prior to his arrival at MIT. He was known for his remarkable mentorship and leadership qualities, as remembered by his colleagues.
MIT President Sally Kornbluth expressed profound sadness over the incident, stating Loureiro's death is a 'shocking loss' for the academic community.
The investigation into Loureiro's shooting coincides with the search for a gunman involved in a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, which occurred about 50 miles away.
A nearby Boston University student reported hearing what she believed to be gunshots the night of the shooting, highlighting the growing concerns surrounding safety within the community.
Students and faculty members expressed their condolences, reflecting on Loureiro's impact on the scientific community and the legacy he will leave behind in the pursuit of energy solutions.
