Gunman opens fire near Harvard University; suspect in custody

A gunman armed with a rifle-style weapon opened fire near Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, possibly injuring two people before being taken into custody, according to police and university officials.

The shooting happened at about 1:30 p.m. Monday near Memorial Drive and River Street, about a block from Harvard. Cambridge police, Harvard University police and Massachusetts State Police responded to the area.

Harvard University Police said they received information from Cambridge police at about 1:36 p.m. that a person armed with a gun had fired shots in the area, possibly injuring two victims. The suspect was later taken into custody.

Massachusetts State Police described the incident as a “police-involved shooting” and said troopers were involved, but the agency did not immediately provide details about what happened. State Police said emergency medics treated “at least one individual” for a gunshot wound.

“No information is immediately available regarding the circumstances of the shooting,” State Police said.

Witness footage from the scene showed the gunman standing in the middle of the street with what appeared to be a rifle, firing indiscriminately.

One witness told WBTS that he was leaving work when he heard gunshots near a stoplight and saw cars turning around, with some getting stuck on the sidewalk as people ran.

“I peeked out my door, I saw the shooter aim directly at me, I turned and I ran,” the witness said. “My coworker was right behind me. I heard the gunshots go off, and within a minute and a half, two minutes, everything was quiet.”

The witness said he returned to find that both his car and his coworker’s car had been hit by gunfire.

“He stayed in his car, so probably he was 25 feet away from the shooter when he got shot,” the witness said.

Residents were asked to avoid the area while police remained at the scene. Officials have not released the suspect’s name or said what led to the shooting.