There's a rather disturbing story out of Brookline, Massachusetts, involving a Harvard professor, a synagogue, and a pellet gun.
Wednesday evening, as Yom Kippur, the holiest of Jewish holidays, was getting underway, Harvard visiting professor Carlos Portugal Gouvea of Brazil allegedly fired a pellet gun outside of a Brookline synagogue. Gouvea, 43, reportedly later told law enforcement that he was "hunting rats." Gouvea is a Harvard Law School alum and an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School.
Per the Harvard Crimson, Gouvea was placed on administrative leave following the incident. Harvard, of course, has faced its own issues with antisemitism, and this latest incident won't help its cause.
Here's what we know so far:
Carlos 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.
...
Two private security guards working at the synagogue reportedly confronted him after hearing “two loud shots” and spotting him holding a pellet rifle.
When the guards approached, Gouvea allegedly set down the gun before a “brief physical struggle” broke out as they tried to detain him, the outlet reported, citing a police account.
Police said Gouvea then ran into his nearby residence before emerging moments later, where he was handcuffed and arrested. Officers later discovered a shattered car window and a pellet lodged inside the vehicle, according to the police report cited by Brookline.News.
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Gouvea appeared in Brookline District Court on Thursday for his arraignment. He pled not guilty and was released on his own recognizance and given a November court date for his next hearing.
The police report is not yet available for review, but it certainly will be interesting to see if it sheds any light as to how the authorities determined that Gouvea was not targeting the synagogue — not to mention how he managed to shoot out a car window while ostensibly "hunting rats."
The timing, location, and rather suspect excuse all raise questions. There are, indeed, coincidences...But I smell a rat with this one.
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