Visiting law prof at Harvard arrested for firing pellet gun near Jewish temple

"A visiting professor at Harvard Law School told police that he was hunting rats when he was arrested Oct. 1 for firing a pellet gun near a Jewish temple during a Yom Kippur service. The law professor, Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, was placed on administrative leave after his arrest "as the school seeks to learn more about this matter," a spokesperson told Law.com."

"Gouvêa was charged with illegally discharging a pellet gun, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and damage to personal property. The damage charge was for allegedly shattering a window on a car parked next door to the temple, according to a police report posted by Law.com. The temple was placed on lockdown when security guards heard the shots. Gouvêa "admitted to using the pellet rifle to hunt rats in the area," the police report said."

Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, was arrested Oct. 1 after firing a pellet gun near a Jewish temple during a Yom Kippur service. He faces charges including illegally discharging a pellet gun, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and damage to personal property for allegedly shattering a car window next to the temple. The temple went into lockdown when security guards heard the shots. Gouvêa told police he had been hunting rats and admitted using a pellet rifle in the area. Brookline police and synagogue officials said antisemitism was not believed to be a factor. Harvard placed him on administrative leave.

Read at ABA Journal