BROOKLINE, Mass. — A multi-state manhunt is underway for a suspect implicated in a mass shooting at Brown University and the recent killing of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and state police, gathered at a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, on Thursday evening as part of their investigation.
The search intensified after police, earlier in the day, identified a person linked to both incidents and issued an arrest warrant, though the individual’s name has not been disclosed. Investigators were seen entering the storage site but did not make any arrests during their operation.
Sources familiar with the case revealed that detectives have been comparing notes regarding the two shootings to determine any potential connections. A possibility of matching evidence, such as shell casings found at both scenes, could shed light on the motives behind the attacks.
In Brookline, Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old professor in MIT’s Nuclear Science & Engineering and Physics departments, was shot outside his residence Monday night. He was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day. Loureiro, who had been a faculty member since 2016, was also the director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, focusing on clean energy research.
Just days prior, two shootings at Brown University resulted in the deaths of students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov during an attack in an engineering building. Cook was identified as a leader of the College Republicans, while Umurzokov was a freshman pursuing a medical career. As of Thursday, six other victims from the attack were reported stable at Rhode Island Hospital, while three had been discharged.
Investigators released images from nearby security cameras showing a person of interest described as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and wearing a distinctive two-tone coat. The individual’s face was mostly obscured by a mask, adding to the urgency of the investigation. The person appeared to be comfortable navigating the campus before the attack, according to law enforcement officials.
Neighbors of Loureiro reported hearing several gunshots that night, with some witnessing a dark sedan speeding away from the scene. “We thought it was a crash, but it turned out to be gunfire,” remarked Anne Greenwald, a local resident who was on the scene.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement is asking the public for assistance. They encourage anyone with information to report it through the FBI’s website or by calling a designated tip line. A reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and subsequent conviction, further emphasizing the urgency in resolving these tragic incidents that have rocked both academic communities.