A murder inquiry has been initiated following the shooting of an MIT professor at his residence in the United States.
The professor, identified as Nuno FG Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was shot on Monday night at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
As of Tuesday afternoon, no suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident, and the investigation is ongoing.
Loureiro, who had been with MIT since 2016, was appointed last year to head MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, where he focused on advancing clean energy technology and other research initiatives. Prior to joining MIT, he had worked as a researcher at an institute for nuclear fusion in Lisbon.
Colleagues described Loureiro as a remarkable individual who excelled as a mentor, friend, teacher, and leader, earning admiration for his articulate and compassionate nature.
The homicide investigation in Brookline coincides with a separate incident in Providence, Rhode Island, where authorities are still searching for the perpetrator responsible for the deaths of two students and injuries to several others at Brown University. The FBI confirmed no links between the two incidents.
Expressing condolences, the US ambassador to Portugal praised Loureiro for his leadership and scientific contributions. Loureiro, in a previous statement, emphasized the importance of MIT in addressing significant global challenges and highlighted the potential impact of fusion energy on human history.
Witnesses in the area reported hearing gunshots on the night of the incident, prompting shock and concern among residents. Students and colleagues of Loureiro visited his residence to pay their respects, reflecting on his impactful presence within the academic community.