Police in Boston are investigating a shooting that happened on Sunday afternoon at the Harvard Square subway station, located near Harvard University.
The incident caused the university to issue an urgent shelter-in-place order for students and staff, asking them to remain indoors while the area was being secured.
According to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Department, the shooting took place on the southbound platform of the Harvard Square station. The suspect reportedly fired four to five gunshots at a person he was targeting.
Thankfully, no one appears to have been injured in the attack, as confirmed by Richard Sullivan, the superintendent of the MBTA Transit Police.
The suspect fled the station right after firing the shots. As a result, police from different departments quickly responded and launched a manhunt in the surrounding area.
To ensure public safety, MBTA officials temporarily suspended regular subway service in that section of the Red Line. Shuttle buses were arranged for passengers while the search was ongoing.
Police first received the alert about the shooting at around 2:15 p.m. Soon after, Harvard University released a message to the campus community advising everyone to shelter inside the nearest safe building.
This message was also posted on the university’s official website, stating that police activity was underway around the Harvard Square station.
The Harvard Square station is located near the university’s main campus in Cambridge, making it a highly frequented spot by both students and local commuters.
The shooting understandably caused fear and confusion among people in the area, especially given that it occurred in broad daylight and so close to an academic institution.
Officials emphasized that the shooting appears to be a targeted attack and not a random act of violence. Even though no one was physically hurt, the event caused major disruption in the area, affecting both public transportation and university activities.
The shelter-in-place message was later removed from the Harvard website in the afternoon, indicating that the immediate threat had likely passed. However, the suspect had not yet been caught as of the latest reports, and the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities have not yet released any description of the suspect or provided details about the motive behind the attack.
Police are urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
The incident has raised concerns about safety at public transportation hubs, especially those near college campuses.
As Boston transit police continue their investigation, increased patrols and surveillance are expected in and around the station in the coming days.
For now, Harvard students and residents are being advised to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. Though the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, the community remains on edge as police work to track down the suspect and understand the reason behind the shooting.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.