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Authorities from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are actively searching for a suspect involved in an alleged assault on a woman within a Harvard dormitory on Tuesday night.
The incident unfolded as a woman attempted to enter her dorm room at Harvard University. According to police reports, a man approached her from behind, covered her mouth, and tried to drag her into the room. Fortunately, bystanders intervened, prompting the suspect to flee the scene. Harvard campus police received a report of the attack and responded promptly at 5:41 p.m.
Despite efforts to locate the suspect, police were unsuccessful. The man reportedly gained access to the residence hall by following someone else inside, although he did not have authorization to be there.
The MIT police disclosed that an assault matching this description also occurred on their campus on Tuesday night, suggesting the incidents may be connected.
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The same man allegedly entered a residence hall at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Tuesday night by following someone else into the building, MIT police said in a statement. Police said the man was “acting suspiciously” after using a side entrance to get into the building at 5:45 p.m.
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Dunster House residence hall stands along the Charles River on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 27, 2025. (Sophie Park/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Officials said the man left the dorm hall at 5:59 p.m., citing security camera video. MIT police said he matched the description of the person who allegedly assaulted a Harvard student.
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The Great Dome exterior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, Mass., on Oct. 21, 2025. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire)
Police described the suspect as a white male, 5’9″, had a thin build, and was wearing a white T-shirt with dark colored shorts.
Harvard Lowell House Faculty Deans David Laibson and Nina Zipser sent an email to residents in the dorm, saying that a police officer is “now patrolling the area” and said residents can join them “to be together as we come to terms with what has happened,” according to the Harvard Crimson.
Harvard officials reminded students to watch for people trying to follow them into restricted campus buildings after the incident.
People with information about the incidents are encouraged to contact MIT police at 617-258-TIPS.