A man armed with an assault-style rifle unleashed a barrage of gunfire on random vehicles in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday afternoon, leaving two men with life-threatening injuries. The suspect was subsequently shot by a Marine and a state police trooper.
Details of the Attack
Tyler Brown, the alleged shooter, is accused of firing between 50 and 60 rounds as he walked along Memorial Drive. Cambridge police responded to a 911 call from Boston authorities reporting an erratic individual with a firearm, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan during a press conference covered by NBC Boston.
Upon arrival, officers from both the Cambridge Police Department and Massachusetts State Police encountered Brown unloading his weapon at stopped vehicles. In the chaos, two men were struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital with critical injuries.
Heroic Intervention
A Marine who was legally carrying a firearm, along with a state trooper, approached the gunman with weapons drawn. They shot Brown multiple times, ending the rampage. The suspect received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to a hospital for his wounds.
A motorist who witnessed the attack described the terrifying scene to CBS Boston. He stopped his car and ducked inside as bullets struck his radiator and a co-worker's headlight. He saw the gunman lift the weapon toward him, prompting him to hide behind his dashboard. His co-worker fled, and a state trooper arrived, engaging in a gunfight with the suspect.
Suspect's Criminal History
Brown has an extensive criminal record spanning two decades. Notably, in 2020, he fired 13 rounds at Boston police officers. For that incident, he received a sentence of five to six years in prison but was released after serving only a few years.
On the day of the shooting, Brown was scheduled to meet with his parole officer, who had expressed concern about his well-being. Authorities attempted to locate Brown at his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts, but he was not there.
Charges Filed
Brown now faces multiple charges, including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and criminal possession of a weapon. District Attorney Ryan stated that there is no evidence Brown targeted specific individuals, emphasizing the random and dangerous nature of the attack. She remarked, "This incident occurred, as I said, on a very busy part of the afternoon, with lots of people there, clearly people's lives were at risk. What happened today cannot stand."
