A visiting professor from Harvard Law School has found himself in a rather precarious position, as he was placed on administrative leave after allegedly firing a pellet rifle near a Boston synagogue. The professor, Carlos Portugal Gouvea, was apprehended on Wednesday following claims that he discharged two pellets outside the Temple Beth Zion in Brookline.
According to reports from the Harvard Crimson, Gouvea is now facing multiple charges at Brookline District Court, including illegal discharge of a pellet gun, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and causing property damage.
More than a dozen police officers responded to the scene as the Jewish community was on the brink of observing Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Two private security guards attempted to subdue Gouvea prior to police arrival, which led to what was described as a “brief physical struggle.”
A Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School
Shot a pellet gun outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur
But don’t fret!
He claimed he was merely hunting rats (the unlucky target was a car window)
In Brazil, he helms a think tank centered on ESG and Social Justice
The corruption runs so deep pic.twitter.com/G4u1UG3Z2T
— Shaun Maguire (@shaunmmaguire) October 5, 2025
In his defense, Gouvea stated that he was simply “hunting rats,” and he pleaded not guilty to all charges on Thursday, according to the same outlet. He has been released on personal recognizance while awaiting a court appearance set for early November.
Jeff Neal, a spokesperson for the faculty, confirmed that Gouvea has been placed on administrative leave as the school investigates the situation further. However, as of now, formal disciplinary action has yet to be taken.
In a communication sent to the members of Temple Beth Zion, synagogue president Larry Kraus and executive director Benjamin Maron indicated that they had “no reason to believe this was an antisemitic event.”
Brookline police informed the synagogue’s leaders that Gouvea was unaware of his proximity to the synagogue or that it coincided with a religious holiday. They noted, however, that discharging a BB gun in such a crowded area poses obvious risks, but it does not seem to stem from any antisemitic motivations.
According to his professional biography, Gouvea serves as an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School and leads a Brazilian research institute focused on social and environmental justice. He completed his doctorate at Harvard Law School in 2008.
Ben Kew is a writer and editor. Originally from the UK, he moved to the U.S. to cover Congress for Breitbart News and has since taken on editorial roles at Human Events, Townhall Media, and Americano Media. He has also contributed articles to The Epoch Times, The Western Journal, and The Spectator.
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