Watch CBS News

MIT Police Officer Shot And Killed On Campus

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) - An MIT Police officer has died after he was shot near the Stata Center on campus Thursday night. A pursuit and shootout in Watertown early Friday morning that left one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects dead is believed to be connected to the shooting.

UPDATE: BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING SUSPECTS: 1 DEAD, 1 LOOSE

MIT sent out an alert to students telling them to stay indoors as officers checked the campus. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m.

WATCH: WBZ-TV LIVE

The Middlesex DA's office says the officer was responding to a report of a disturbance in the area of Vassar and Main streets when he was shot multiple times.

He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. State Police, K9 units and the Air Wing were assisting in the search.

At about 1 a.m. Friday morning, officers from several agencies were involved in a pursuit into Watertown.

A witness says he heard explosions and gunshots before the suspect was taken into custody. WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk reports that the National Guard is at the crime scene in Watertown.

Gunfire, Explosions Recorded In Watertown

Another suspect is reported to be at large.

At 2 a.m., MIT posted an alert on their website saying that the suspect in the shooting was no longer on campus.

MIT released a statement early Friday morning: "MIT is heartbroken by the news that an MIT Police officer has been shot and killed tonight in the line of duty. Our thoughts are now with the officer's family."

We are working with multiple police departments in order to ensure the safety of the MIT campus: the safety of our students and others on our campus is our highest priority. Police officers have been sweeping the campus in search of the shooter. We have sent text and email messages to the members of the MIT community asking them to stay indoors while the search continues."

MIT has cancelled classes for the day on Friday.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.