Harvard issues shelter in place advisory after gunshots heard near campus

The Harvard Square MBTA station was shut down for three hours following the shooting.

 A sign points the way to the Harvard College Admissions Visitors Center at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., July 6, 2023. (photo credit: BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)
A sign points the way to the Harvard College Admissions Visitors Center at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., July 6, 2023.
(photo credit: BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS)

Boston Metro Transit Police are investigating a shooting that occurred near Harvard University on Sunday and caused students and faculty to shelter in place.

At approximately 2 p.m. local time, a man fired four or five rounds at a "targeted individual" standing in the Harvard Square MBTA transit station.

Transit police commented that no injuries have been reported and there is “no evidence to suggest a victim was struck,” local media reported.

The suspect fled the scene after he fired the shots. 

 A view of MBTA South Station on March 29, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ridership has declined sharply due to coronavirus (COVID19) related school closures and people working from home. In response to the virus the MBTA has reduced service and enhanced cleaning protocols. (credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A view of MBTA South Station on March 29, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ridership has declined sharply due to coronavirus (COVID19) related school closures and people working from home. In response to the virus the MBTA has reduced service and enhanced cleaning protocols. (credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Harvard students shelter in place

During the ordeal, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, Harvard sent out a series of alerts to students advising them to shelter in place, according to the Boston Globe

The alert was lifted nearly 30 minutes later, but the MBTA station was closed for nearly three hours afterwards.

"Everyone was kind of convinced it was firecrackers, and the train stops, and the conductor is like 'Guys, hold tight real quick.' He comes through, he doesn't know what's happening," a Boston resident told CBS News. 

This comes after a shooter killed two people and wounded five at Florida State University last week.