An explosion occurred early Saturday morning at Harvard Medical School's Goldenson Building in Boston, with authorities now searching for two suspects who fled the scene.
The Harvard University Police Department provided details in a statement to Newsweek, confirming that at approximately 2:48 a.m. local time, an officer responding to a fire alarm witnessed two unidentified individuals fleeing the building at 220 Longwood Avenue before discovering the explosion on the fourth floor.
The Boston Fire Department's Arson Unit responded and determined the explosion was intentional after conducting an initial assessment of the scene. No injuries were reported.
Why It Matters
This incident adds to growing security concerns facing colleges and universities nationwide.
Academic institutions have increasingly become targets of violence, from mass shootings like the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre that killed 32 people to the current spike of swatting incidents and false reports of active shooters disrupting college campuses across the country.
While this explosion differs from active shooter situations, it represents another form of deliberate violence targeting campus facilities. The intentional nature of the attack at a prestigious research institution raises questions about whether adequate security measures are in place to protect students, faculty, and staff during vulnerable overnight hours.
What To Know
According to the statement provided to Newsweek, the responding officer attempted to stop the two individuals before proceeding to the floor where the alarm had been triggered. Upon entering the building, the officer determined that an explosion had occurred in an area on the fourth floor.
The Boston Police Department conducted a comprehensive sweep of the Goldenson Building to check for additional explosive devices, but none were found.
Harvard University Police released grainy surveillance images showing two individuals wearing face coverings and what appear to be sweatshirts, captured on CCTV as they fled the scene.
The Goldenson Building houses various medical school facilities and research laboratories, though authorities have not disclosed whether any sensitive research materials or equipment were affected by the blast or the extent of property damage.
What People Are Saying
Sarah Kennedy-O’Reilly, Harvard Public Affairs & Communications, in statement to Newsweek: "The Harvard University Police Department is actively investigating this incident in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners."
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the explosion: "This attack on a key academic and research facility is not merely an act of vandalism; it is a direct assault on the pursuit of knowledge and the community that upholds it."
What Happens Next
The investigation continues with coordination between Harvard University Police, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department's Arson Unit, and federal law enforcement partners.
Authorities ask if anyone can identify the individuals in these images or has information regarding this incident, contact the Harvard University Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 617-495-1796.
Update 11/1/25, 8:01 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
