Harvard Professor Detained After Pellet Gun Fired Near Brookline Synagogue

A visiting Harvard Law School scholar was arrested after security guards confronted him for firing a pellet gun near a Brookline synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur. The arrest has shaken local worshippers and renewed concerns about threats to Jewish communities during the high holy days.

According to court records, the man identified as a 43-year-old visiting professor was seen with a rifle after two loud reports were heard outside Temple Beth Zion on Beacon Street. Security personnel moved quickly to intervene. A brief struggle followed, after which the suspect fled into a nearby residence and was soon taken into custody by a heavy police response.

Hospitality and safety are central to Jewish life, especially on Yom Kippur. The fact that a Harvard professor was arrested in this context has sent shockwaves through Brookline and the wider community. A shattered car window with a pellet lodged inside is one of the physical reminders of what could have been a far worse incident.

Law enforcement says the suspect claimed he was “hunting rats,” but investigators found no evidence the synagogue itself was the intended target. Still, the timing on the eve of one of Judaism’s holiest days amplified fears. The charges filed include illegal discharge of a pellet gun, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and malicious damage to property.

Harvard Law School moved swiftly. The university placed the visiting academic on administrative leave while it investigates. School officials said they are cooperating with authorities and seeking to learn more about the circumstances that led to the arrest. The professor, who holds a doctorate from Harvard and teaches at a prominent Brazilian university, pleaded not guilty at arraignment and was released without bail pending a return to court in November.

This episode lands against a troubling backdrop. Jewish communities worldwide have seen a spike in threats and attacks during recent high holy days. Authorities in several countries have tightened security around synagogues and community centers, and emergency planning has become a regular part of congregational life. In the United Kingdom, a recent vehicle-and-stabbing attack near a Manchester synagogue left multiple victims and underscored the lethal potential of targeted violence against places of worship.

Local leaders in Brookline described an immediate sense of alarm when the shots were heard. Congregants reported gratitude for the security guards who intervened and for the rapid police response that followed. For many, the arrest raises questions not only about motive but also about the broader climate in which such incidents occur.

Legal experts note that pellet rifles occupy a gray zone in many jurisdictions. While less lethal than firearms, they can still cause serious injury and are subject to criminal statutes when discharged in public places or used to damage property. Prosecutors will weigh the evidence, the defendant’s stated explanation, and whether any aggravating factors such as timing or proximity to a religious institution warrant more severe charges.

Beyond the legal case, the community impact is immediate. Synagogue officials emphasized that services and rituals must continue, and that faith communities will not be cowed by intimidation. In parallel, law enforcement agencies reiterated their commitment to protecting houses of worship and ensuring that those responsible for threats are brought to justice.

This incident also poses difficult questions for academic institutions. When a Harvard professor is arrested, campuses face pressure to balance due process with swift action to protect students and community partners. Harvard’s administrative leave signals an awareness of that duty and an intent to get facts before drawing conclusions.

For families and congregants preparing to mark Yom Kippur, the arrest is a reminder of vulnerability and of the importance of vigilance. It also serves as a call to civic institutions to remain steadfast in protecting religious freedom and the safety of minorities.

Israel stands with communities worldwide that seek to worship in peace. Share this story and subscribe to our newsletter for more reporting on threats to religious life and the responses that defend it.