Harvard Law professor placed on leave after firing pellet gun near Boston area synagogue

A visiting professor at Harvard Law School has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of firing a pellet rifle outside a synagogue in Brookline on the eve of Yom Kippur.

Carlos Portugal Gouvea, 43, was taken into custody Wednesday night after police reported he discharged two shots near Temple Beth Zion on Beacon Street, which he later claimed was for “hunting rats,” as per a report by Brookline.News.

While investigators do not believe Gouvea aimed at the synagogue, he faces charges in Brookline District Court, including illegal discharge of a pellet gun, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and malicious damage to personal property, according to court documents.

A spokesperson for Harvard Law School, Jeff Neal, informed The Post that Gouvea “has been placed on administrative leave while the school investigates the situation further.”

The Harvard Crimson was the first to report his suspension.

No further disciplinary measures have been announced by the school at this time. The Post has reached out to Harvard Law School, Temple Beth Zion, and Gouvea for comments.

The incident reportedly prompted a considerable police response, involving over a dozen officers as congregants gathered for services marking the beginning of the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Two private security guards at the synagogue allegedly confronted him after hearing “two loud shots” and seeing Gouvea with the pellet rifle.

Upon their approach, it is reported that Gouvea set down the rifle, but a “brief physical struggle” ensued as they attempted to detain him, according to police accounts.

According to police reports cited by Brookline.News, Gouvea then fled into his nearby residence and emerged moments later, where he was arrested. Officers later found a broken car window with a pellet lodged inside, as stated in the police report.

Gouvea was arraigned on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to all charges as recorded in court documents. He was released on personal recognizance and is set to return to court in early November.

Neither Gouvea nor his listed attorney responded to requests for comments from The Crimson or Brookline.News.

Authorities stated there was no evidence suggesting the synagogue was specifically targeted.

Gouvea, an alumnus of Harvard Law School, obtained his doctorate from the university in 2008. He is an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School and leads a Brazilian think tank focused on social and environmental justice.

Brookline police have not provided additional details regarding the incident.

Gouvea is scheduled to appear in Brookline District Court again in November.

The reported incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Jewish community, which is observing the high holy days.

This week, two men were killed and several others severely injured when a man drove into pedestrians near a synagogue and proceeded to stab victims before being shot by police in Manchester, UK.

Six individuals have been arrested on suspicions of terrorism as investigations continue into the assault, during which the suspect reportedly wore a fake bomb belt.

Authorities suspect one victim, Adrian Daulby, was accidentally shot by police while congregants attempted to barricade the entrance to the synagogue to halt the attacker.

Harvard has found itself at the forefront of a nationwide discussion regarding whether universities are adequately addressing antisemitism on campuses.

The Trump administration has accused the institution of failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment, threatening to withdraw billions in federal funding unless significant reforms are undertaken.

Harvard has filed a lawsuit contesting the legality of the government’s actions, citing that the funding freezes are punitive and politically driven, as both parties move closer to a potential settlement.