The best and the brightest used to be synonymous with being a Harvard student or professor but not anymore.
A Harvard professor has been placed on leave after allegedly firing a pellet gun near a synagogue in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The professor has been identified as 43-year-old Carlos Gouvea who was a visiting professor at Harvard Law School.
BREAKING: Professor at Harvard Law School Carlos Portugal Gouvea was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after firing a pellet gun outside of a Brookline synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur.
Yes, you read it right — a Harvard Law School PROFESSOR! pic.twitter.com/hbCygJSPXd
— I Meme Therefore I Am
(@ImMeme0) October 5, 2025
The New York Post reported more details on the professor’s reckless actions:
A visiting professor at Harvard Law School has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly firing a pellet rifle outside a Brookline synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur.
ADVERTISEMENTCarlos Portugal Gouvea, 43, was arrested Wednesday night after police said he fired two shots near Temple Beth Zion on Beacon Street in what he later claimed was “hunting rats,” Brookline.News reported.
Investigators do not believe that Gouvea was targeting the synagogue, but he was charged in Brookline District Court with illegally discharging a pellet gun, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and malicious damage of personal property, according to court records.
Harvard Law School spokesperson Jeff Neal told The Post that Gouvea “has been placed on administrative leave as the school seeks to learn more about this matter.”
The Harvard Crimson first reported his suspension.
The school has not announced any further disciplinary action. The Post has sought comment from Harvard Law School, Temple Beth Zion and Gouvea.
Police said the incident triggered a large response involving more than a dozen officers as congregants gathered for services marking the start of the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
A Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School
Shot a pellet gun outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur
But don’t fret!
He said he was just hunting rats (he shot a car window)
Back in Brazil he runs a think take that focuses on ESG and Social Justice
The corruption runs so deep pic.twitter.com/G4u1UG3Z2T
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) October 5, 2025
Gouvea actions come as a Muslim man was arrested after attacking bystanders outside of a synagogue in the U.K., per Fox News:
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.One of the two victims who died in the terrorist attack on a U.K. synagogue on Yom Kippur was accidentally shot by Manchester police as they rushed to subdue the attacker, British officials confirmed on Friday.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, were killed on Thursday after 35-year-old British citizen born in Syria, Jihad Al Shamie, plowed his car into pedestrians and then stabbed at least one other victim.
ADVERTISEMENTThe incident resulted in two killed and four others injured.
