Police are probing a possible connection between a Monday night shooting that killed MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro in Brookline and last weekend’s mass shooting at Brown University.
The Investigation Begins
Four senior law‑enforcement officials briefed NBC News said authorities are looking into whether the same rental vehicle was seen at Brown around the time of Saturday’s shooting and again on Monday near Loureiro’s home on Gibbs Street. The vehicle’s presence at both locations has prompted a review of possible links between the two incidents.
The FBI, at a press conference earlier this week, stated that at that stage there was no evidence tying the two shootings together. However, as the investigations have progressed, officials are exploring additional leads to determine whether a connection exists.
The Brookline Shooting
Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47‑year‑old nuclear science professor, was shot at his Brookline residence on Monday night and died from his injuries the following morning. The prosecutor’s office confirmed that the homicide investigation is ongoing and that no suspects have been taken into custody as of Wednesday morning.
Brookline officials issued a statement on Wednesday to quell rumors and fear in the community. While they could not disclose all details, they did provide some information about the case and the steps being taken.
Loureiro joined MIT in 2016 and had been named the previous year to lead the university’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. The center, one of MIT’s largest labs, had more than 250 people working across seven buildings when he assumed leadership. The professor, who was married, grew up in Viseu in central Portugal, studied in Lisbon, earned a doctorate in London, and had previously worked as a researcher at a nuclear fusion institute in Lisbon.
A 22‑year‑old Boston University student living near Loureiro’s apartment, Liv Schachner, told The Boston Globe that she heard three loud noises Monday evening and feared it was gunfire. “I had never heard anything so loud, so I assumed they were gunshots,” Schachner said. “It’s difficult to grasp. It just seems like it keeps happening.”
The Brown University Mass Shooting
The mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others. Providence police had planned to give an update on the investigation at 4 p.m. on the day of the shooting, but the press conference was delayed indefinitely.
Authorities released several videos from the day of the attack. The footage shows a person wearing a mask—or with their head turned—walking on streets just off campus. Providence Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said at a Wednesday news conference that witness accounts of the shooter match the person in the videos. “I believe that this is probably the most intense investigation going on right now in this nation,” Perez said.
In addition to the videos, Providence police released a new photo of a separate individual who they said was in “proximity of the person of interest” and asked the public to help identify that person. The police have been canvassing nearby neighborhoods and have received hundreds of tips.
Connections and Next Steps
Michael Tabman, a retired FBI special agent who is in charge of the investigation, joined NBC10 Boston on Thursday to discuss the possible connection between the Brookline shooting and the Brown University incident. While he did not provide new details, his presence signals the seriousness with which the FBI is treating the investigation.
Law‑enforcement officials in Providence declined to comment further, and Brookline police have not returned calls for comment. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to review all available evidence and pursue any new leads.
Key Takeaways
- Police are investigating whether a rental vehicle seen at Brown University during the Saturday mass shooting also appeared near the Brookline home of MIT professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro, who was killed Monday night.
- The FBI has stated there is no current evidence linking the two incidents, but investigations are ongoing.
- The Brown University shooting left two students dead and nine injured, with authorities releasing footage of a masked suspect and seeking public assistance in identifying a person of interest.
The investigation into the Brookline shooting and its potential connection to the Brown University incident is a developing story. As authorities review evidence and gather new information, updates are expected to follow.
Closing
The loss of Professor Loureiro and the tragedy at Brown University have shocked the Massachusetts community. Police and federal investigators remain focused on uncovering the truth behind both shootings, with the hope of bringing clarity and closure to affected families and residents.
