Dear Friends:
Most community members will have seen the media coverage and received the emergency alert sent earlier today about the shooting that took place on the footbridge that connects Silber Way (in the center of campus) to the Esplanade.
It is premature to offer many details. The basic facts as we understand them are that a suspect in an ongoing investigation was being pursued by state and Boston University police officers. The suspect, who was armed with a knife, did not heed a command to surrender and, according to preliminary reports, lunged at officers. He was shot in response and died at the scene.
We have no reason to believe there is any continuing threat to the community relating to this incident. The area in and around the footbridge is a state police crime investigation scene and should be avoided. The activity that people in the vicinity may see is a consequence of the investigative activity, not an ongoing event.
Please know that as always Boston University officials will work closely with all relevant public safety officials in addressing any and all issues that arise as a consequence of this sad and disturbing event.
BU Today will carry updated coverage of the investigation and any actions that we take as an institution because of what we learn.
I am grateful to all officers who were engaged in this and whose conduct limited risk of harm to those who may have been in the vicinity at the time events unfolded.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Brown
President