In brief
Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old MIT professor specializing in fusion energy, was fatally shot at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts. As law enforcement intensifies their manhunt for the suspect, his death marks a significant loss for both the academic community and the field of clean energy research. Separately, investigators are still working to identify suspects in an unrelated shooting at Brown University that injured multiple students.
BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) — Police intensified their search on Wednesday for a suspect in the fatal shooting of Professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was shot at his home earlier in the week.Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and fusion scientist, was shot Monday night at his apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.The investigation into Loureiro's homicide is ongoing, with no suspects in custody as of Wednesday morning.This tragic event coincides with another ongoing investigation at Brown University, approximately 50 miles away in Providence, Rhode Island, following an unsolved shooting that killed two students and wounded nine others over the weekend. Authorities have provided no updates on the identity of the gunman involved in the Brown University shooting.The FBI has stated that its investigations into both locations are not connected, reflecting the increasing violence affecting academic institutions in the region.Loureiro joined MIT in 2016 and took on the role of leading the Plasma Science and Fusion Center to advance clean energy technologies. He was well-regarded for his research and as a mentor to many students and colleagues. Dennis Whyte, who once led the center, highlighted Loureiro as a remarkable mentor and friend.Sally Kornbluth, the president of MIT, expressed her sorrow over the incident, calling it a shocking loss. Additionally, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa released a statement of condolence, recognizing Loureiro's contributions and the impact of his work.A neighbor reported hearing three loud noises that night, suspecting they were gunfire. Students and community members have also been seen leaving flowers and paying their respects outside Loureiro’s home, reflecting the sense of disbelief and sadness within the academic community.Loureiro had once stated, Fusion energy will change the course of human history, emphasizing his commitment towards solving global energy challenges.
