BROOKLINE, Mass. (AP) — Nuno F.G. Loureiro, a 47-year-old physicist and director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was fatally shot at his home on Monday night. Authorities announced on Tuesday that a homicide investigation is underway.
The shooting took place in Brookline, Massachusetts, and Loureiro was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning. As of Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement officials stated that no suspects had been taken into custody and the investigation is ongoing.
Joining MIT in 2016, Loureiro took on the role of director last year, overseeing a lab with over 250 staff focused on pioneering clean energy technology and research into fusion energy, which he believed could transform human history.
Originally from Viseu, Portugal, Loureiro studied at institutions in Lisbon and London before his tenure at MIT. His colleagues remember him for his mentorship and compassion. Dennis Whyte, a fellow professor at MIT, described Loureiro as a bright light in the field of science.
The impact of Loureiro’s death is felt throughout the academic community, with the president of MIT expressing that this loss is a profound shock. As the police investigation continues, the community reflects on the life and contributions of a cherished educator and scientist.
In related news, police in Providence, Rhode Island, are investigating a separate shooting that left two students dead, prompting concerns over safety in local academic environments.
In this unsettling context, students and colleagues gathered at Loureiro's home, gathering to pay their respects.
