Key Takeaways
- Gunfire erupted on the Harvard Square subway platform Sunday afternoon.
- A man reportedly fired 4–5 shots at a targeted individual before fleeing the scene.
- No injuries were reported, and no suspects were in custody as of Sunday evening.
- Harvard issued and later lifted a campus-wide shelter-in-place order during the incident.
- MBTA services were delayed as police conducted an area search.
A shooting on the Harvard Square subway platform on Sunday afternoon triggered a shelter-in-place order for Harvard University students and staff, sparking a multi-agency police response and transit service disruptions across the area.
Incident Unfolds Near Harvard Campus
According to Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan, officers responded to a report of gunfire at 2:12 p.m. at the southbound platform of the Harvard Square Red Line station.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a man, armed with a handgun, discharged approximately four to five rounds at a specific individual before fleeing the station.
“There is currently no evidence to suggest the targeted person or any bystanders were injured,” Sullivan stated. Reports from students and commuters describe a man running from the station with a gun in hand.
Brianna M. Carbajal ’26, who was on the platform, recalled hearing multiple shots. Another student, Marcos Garcia ’28, said he saw the suspect run toward Brattle Street.
Campus Lockdown and Transit Disruptions
Harvard University Police issued a shelter-in-place alert at 2:46 p.m., instructing affiliates to remain indoors while law enforcement searched the surrounding area. The order was lifted at 3:19 p.m., after it was deemed safe to resume normal activities.
However, the investigation remained active into the evening.
Transit operations were also affected. Red Line passengers were rerouted to shuttle buses, and service was delayed by approximately 15 minutes due to what the MBTA called “police activity at Harvard.” Eyewitnesses described the station’s turnstiles blocked by caution tape and a noticeable police presence.
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No Suspects in Custody
As of late Sunday, police had not identified or apprehended a suspect. Cambridge Police Department Superintendent Frederick Cabral confirmed that no arrests had been made and emphasized that the shelter order came from Harvard University Police, not CPD.
MBTA Transit Police, Cambridge Police, and Harvard University Police all participated in the response.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Sullivan added, noting that authorities had not found any victims or further evidence of injury.
Despite the lack of injuries, the incident raised safety concerns across the university and broader community.
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