Tyler Brown Fires Assault Rifle on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Injuring Two

A gunman identified by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan as Tyler Brown opened fire on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, firing an assault-style rifle at vehicles and seriously injuring two people before being shot by state police and an armed civilian.

“This story has been updated to include information from the district attorney”

Boston

Ryan said the shooting began around 1 p.m. and that Brown was firing erratically at vehicles as he walked east down Memorial Drive, which banks Charles River near Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Boston

The Boston Globe reported the barrage included at least 50 to 60 rounds and that it ended with an exchange of gunfire with State Police and an armed civilian.

Authorities said the two men in separate vehicles suffered life-threatening gunshot injuries, and Ryan identified Brown, 46, of Boston, as the alleged gunman.

Cambridge police were first alerted at 1:06 p.m. after Boston police reported a man acting erratically and believed to be armed with a rifle, according to Ryan.

Ryan told reporters that the incident lasted minutes thanks to the actions of the trooper and the civilian, and she said Brown was already traveling down the middle of Memorial Drive and actively firing in an erratic fashion at various vehicles along the road.

In the same press conference, Ryan said, "This incident lasted minutes thanks to the actions of the trooper and that civilian," and she added that the weapon had the capacity to have struck people on the other side of the Charles River.

Boston 25 News

The Boston Globe quoted Ryan saying, "What happened today cannot stand," as it described Brown being shot in the extremities after the State Police trooper and an armed civilian confronted him.

Cambridge Acting Police Commissioner Pauline Wells praised officers for running toward danger without hesitation, saying, "Without their quick and selfless acts, today’s situation would have been a lot worse," while Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble credited troopers and Cambridge police for stopping the attack within minutes.

Ryan said Brown would face two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and firearm offenses, and she added that he was expected to be charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder along with weapons charges and "a variety of other charges."

“Two people face life-threatening injuries after an alleged shooter — who was previously convicted of shooting at police — opened fire on Memorial Drive traffic Monday afternoon”

Boston Herald

The UPI report said Ryan expected to charge Brown with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, firearms offenses and potentially other offenses to be determined by the ongoing investigation.

Investigators said the shooting took place on Memorial Drive between River Street and Pleasant Street Extension, and the Boston Herald reported that Brown is currently serving three years of probation after his release from state prison last year for the May 2020 shooting that involved four Boston police officers.

The Boston Herald also said court records show Brown was released from prison four months before the 2020 shooting, and it reported that Brown is not connected to either victim.

Authorities asked anyone with information or video to contact Massachusetts State Police detectives at 781-897-6600, while the investigation remained active with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, and Cambridge police.