Gun shots at MIT campus in US, cop killed

BOSTON: Boston descended into chaos on Friday morning as police dramatically arrested a suspect at gunpoint after multiple shots and explosions were heard in the suburb of Watertown - hours after a MIT campus police officer was shot dead late on Thursday night.

Police are urging everyone to stay inside of their homes. The area is considered extremely dangerous.

Law enforcement is reportedly searching for a black 2013 black Mercedes vehicle which a suspect is driving.

Initial reports suggest that one suspect is in custody and a police officer has been injured.

Earlier - Cambridge police and the Middlesex District Attorney's office confirmed an officer was shot dead responding to a report of a disturbance when he was fired upon multiple times.

He later died at a hospital. His name was not immediately released.

State police spokesman Dave Procopio says the shooting took place about 10:30 pm outside an MIT building.

Procopio says authorities are searching for a suspect or suspects. No arrests have been made.

MIT police, Cambridge police and state police are involved in the investigation.

About 11,000 people attend the prestigious school.

The campus website said police were sweeping the campus and urged people to stay indoors.

In a statement issued to the press, law enforcement officials said that no arrests have been made in the shooting and the search for a suspect or suspects is ongoing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston issued an emergency alert at 10.48 pm on Thursday night reporting that shots had been fired putting an officer was down and that a shooter was on the run.

It has been reported that a 'Hispanic looking man' took the officer's weapon from him before firing on him.
MIT posted this alert to their website.

'At 10:48 pm gunshots were reported near Building 32 (Stata) which is currently surrounded by responding agencies.

'The area is cordoned off. Please stay clear of area until further notice. Unknown if injuries have occurred. Although the situation is considered active and extremely dangerous, an investigation is underway.

'Updates will be provided at this site when more information becomes available.'

The injured officer was from MIT Police and was being taken to Mass. General Hospital where he is currently in a critical condition.

The campus newspaper 'The Tech' posted to Twitter, 'Shots fired near 32 Vassar St (Stata Center), police officer down. Please stay inside.'

Massachusetts State Police initially said the officer has suffered ‘life-threatening injuries.’ He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The District Attorney's office in Boston later confirmed the officer had passed away.

The school is describing the situation as 'active and extremely dangerous.' - and FBI agents have been witnessed at the scene.

Boston has been on edge after two bombs ripped through the crowd near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injured 183 more.