Harvard University initiated a shelter-in-place order on Friday morning after receiving reports of a shootingincident near the Radcliffe Quadrangle, as communicated through alerts from the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD).
The initial alert from HUPD specified that an unknown male fired shots at another individual on Sherman Street, an area adjacent to the Radcliffe Quad. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect escape on a bicycle, heading towards Garden Street, a route connecting North Cambridge, the Quad, and Harvard Square.
Campus on High Alert: Shelter-in-Place Issued
Shortly after 11 AM, police advised everyone within the university community to remain indoors and steer clear of the affected area. The alert also cautioned that the suspected shooter might be moving in the direction of Harvard Square.
Approximately ten minutes later, a follow-up alert confirmed that both the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) and HUPD were actively engaged in a search operation for the suspect. University affiliates received renewed instructions to stay sheltered and avoid the designated danger zones, including the Quad.
Intensive Search Efforts Underway
A third update, disseminated just before 11:30 AM, reiterated the location of the shooting near the Radcliffe Quad and emphasized that the suspect could still be heading towards Harvard Square.
As of early afternoon, spokespeople from HUPD, CPD, and Harvard University had not yet provided further comments regarding the incident.
Initial Campus Response and Reactions
Despite the urgent alerts, some students and local Cambridge residents were observed outside in the Quad approximately twenty minutes after the first message was sent out. Staff members in certain residential houses reportedly instructed students to stay indoors as a precautionary measure.
Ongoing Investigation
Police operations and the extensive search for the suspect are still in progress. Authorities have not yet released additional details concerning the identity of the shooter or the current condition of the person who was targeted in the shooting incident.