Timely Warning - Person with Knife on Winthrop St

Earlier today, at approximately 11:38 a.m., the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) received information from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) that an individual had brandished a knife near Winthrop Street and fled the area on a bicycle. The victim was not affiliated with Harvard.

HUPD and CPD immediately searched the area of South St and JFK St for the suspect. After an extensive search of the Harvard Square area, officers located the suspect in Cambridge Common. When HUPD officers approached, the suspect fled. Officers pursued the suspect across the Charles River and detained them near the Weeks Footbridge. The suspect was then taken into custody. 

There is no ongoing threat to the campus community.

For questions about this message, contact Harvard University Police Department Public Information Officer Steven G. Catalano at 617-495-9225 or steven_catalano@hupd.harvard.edu.

Disseminated at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.