[Updated at 12:55 a.m. ET]

BOSTON — An intense manhunt is underway for a gunman who shot and killed a campus officer Thursday evening at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The Middlesex County District Attorney's office confirmed the officer's death. The officer, who has not been identified, was reportedly answering a disturbance call when he was shot multiple times about 10:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the university is pleading for students to stay indoors and out of harm's way.

"The shooter remains at large, police continue to search the campus," the school warned in a campus alert at 12:37 a.m. "Please REMAIN INDOORS until further notice."

The university issued the first alert at 10:48 p.m.: "There are gunshots reported in the vicinity of Building 32 (Stata Center). Area is cordoned off. Stay away from area."

According to audio of MIT police dispatch radio chatter posted online, an officer described the suspected shooter as a black male wearing black clothing and weighing approximately 120 pounds.

Stunned students asked news reporters if the shooting could be tied to this week's terror attack. However, no motive for the Thursday shooting has been given.

Yahoo News' Dylan Stableford reported from New York City.