A shooting incident near Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, caused panic on Friday morning before authorities declared the area safe. Police said an unidentified person on a bike opened fire on another individual near Sherman Street, close to Danehy Park, before fleeing toward Garden Street.
Harvard University issued an emergency alert urging everyone to shelter in place. The advisory was lifted later after police confirmed there was no ongoing threat to public safety.
Harvard Issues Emergency Alert
The university responded quickly to the situation, sending out alerts to students and residents. “Cambridge Police has communicated that there is no ongoing public safety risk at this time,” Harvard said in an alert around 11 a.m., according to the Boston Herald.
Cambridge Police are currently on-scene of a shots fired incident that took place on Sherman St. in the vicinity of Danehy Park. Ballistic evidence has been recovered. There are no known victims or on-going public safety risk at this time. pic.twitter.com/1UYPpNW7sI
— Cambridge Police Department (@CambridgePolice) October 24, 2025
It added, “The shelter in place is lifted. Please continue to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
Police Investigation Underway
Cambridge Police said officers were on the scene immediately after reports of gunfire. “Cambridge Police are currently on-scene of a shots fired incident that took place on Sherman St. in the vicinity of Danehy Park,” said Sgt. Robert Reardon, the department’s public information officer.
He added, “Ballistic evidence has been recovered. There are no known victims or ongoing public safety risk at this time. Additional information will be shared when it is available.”
Authorities have not yet identified the shooter or confirmed whether anyone was injured. The suspect reportedly escaped on a bicycle, prompting an area-wide search by local law enforcement.
Gun Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. Individuals must have either a License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearm Identification (FID) Card to possess or carry firearms. Despite these restrictions, incidents involving gun violence occasionally occur in the state.
A String of Recent Shootings Across the U.S.
The Cambridge shooting adds to a growing list of gun-related incidents across the U.S. in 2025. Earlier this month, seven people were killed in a mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi, after a gunman opened fire on a crowd leaving a homecoming football game.
In August, a shooter opened fire through a church window in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two children during a Sunday mass. Another tragic shooting in April at Florida State University left two dead and six injured.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. has already recorded more than 300 mass shootings in 2025. The persistent gun violence crisis continues to raise concerns about firearm accessibility and safety in public spaces.
Ongoing Vigilance
While no injuries have been reported from the Harvard-area shooting, the incident has rattled the university community. Police are urging residents to remain alert and share any information that could help locate the suspect.
