Brazilian Visiting Professor Leaves US After Antisemitic BB Gun Incident

A visiting law professor from Brazil has departed the United States after being charged with firing a BB gun near a synagogue during Yom Kippur. Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, who taught at Harvard Law School, had his visa revoked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the incident. According to officials, Gouvêa agreed to leave the country voluntarily instead of facing deportation. He arrived in Brazil on Thursday, as confirmed by his lawyer, Joseph D. Eisenstadt. The incident occurred on October 1, during Yom Kippur, when Gouvêa allegedly fired a BB gun near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts. Police reported that Gouvêa initially claimed he was shooting rats, but later admitted to using the BB gun. Gouvêa was charged with three misdemeanors and one felony, including illegally discharging a BB gun, vandalism, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. He pleaded not guilty, but later reached a plea agreement, which included six months of pre-trial probation and restitution for damages. The Department of Homeland Security described the incident as antisemitic, but Temple Beth Zion initially stated that it did not appear to be motivated by hatred towards the Jewish community. However, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the importance of upholding American values and protecting citizens from violent acts of anti-Semitism. Gouvêa's departure from the United States marks the end of his time as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, where he taught two courses. His visa was revoked by the State Department on October 16, citing the antisemitic shooting incident.