MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro Fatally Shot in Brookline Apartment, Police Investigate
BROOKLINE, Mass. — The tranquil Boston suburb of Brookline was shaken this week by the fatal shooting of Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Loureiro, a respected figure in nuclear science and engineering as well as physics, was found shot in his apartment late Monday night and died at a hospital early Tuesday morning, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
Brookline Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire at the three-story apartment complex where Loureiro lived. Neighbors, including Louise Cohen who was lighting a menorah candle nearby, heard multiple shots and discovered Loureiro lying on his back in the building’s entrance. Cohen called 911 alongside another neighbor and Loureiro’s wife. “I can’t sleep now,” Cohen told The Boston Globe. “This family is so amazing. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to kill him.”
The investigation is being treated as a homicide, with no suspects currently in custody. Brookline Police Chief Jennifer Paster emphasized the ongoing nature of the probe in a social media statement, urging the public for patience and understanding while law enforcement works to uncover details. She noted that additional patrols, including unmarked units, have been deployed in the Gibbs Street neighborhood to maintain community safety.
The Massachusetts State Police, alongside the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, are collaborating on the case. The Massachusetts State Police confirmed their involvement, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. The Brookline Police Department has not released further information pending the investigation.
Loureiro’s death comes amid heightened regional attention to gun violence following a separate shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, about 50 miles away. That incident, which left two students dead and nine injured during a class study session, remains under active investigation. However, Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Field Office, stated publicly that there appears to be no connection between the two shootings.
As the community grapples with the loss of a prominent academic, authorities continue to seek leads in the Brookline case. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Loureiro contributed significantly to nuclear science research, has yet to issue a formal statement. The incident has raised concerns about safety in residential areas surrounding major academic institutions.
Residents in Brookline have expressed shock and sorrow over the violence. The neighborhood, known for its quiet streets and close-knit community, is now under increased police scrutiny as investigators work to piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
For ongoing updates, the public is encouraged to follow announcements from the Brookline Police Department and the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Authorities have requested anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
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