Man Allegedly Fires 70 Rounds on Busy Boston Street, Pleads Not Guilty
An alarming incident unfolded near Boston when a man allegedly discharged an assault-style weapon, injuring two drivers on a congested road. The suspect, Tyler Brown, appeared in court via video link from a hospital bed and entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges, including armed assault with intent to murder.
Brown, 46, appeared to be asleep for much of the court session, only acknowledging the judge’s words when not guilty pleas were recorded on his behalf. The charges against him include armed assault and possession of a firearm without a license. Judge David Frank has ordered that Brown remain in custody, whether in the hospital or jail, until a scheduled hearing on May 21.
The dramatic shooting occurred in Cambridge, Massachusetts, sending terrified drivers fleeing from their vehicles or taking cover beneath them. One victim was shot in the back of the head but has since been discharged from the hospital. Another victim, wounded four times in the leg, is still receiving medical treatment, as reported by Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain.
Prior to the incident, Brown had a video call with his parole officer, during which he admitted to relapsing and expressed suicidal thoughts. Authorities tracked Brown to Cambridge using phone records after his parole officer alerted the police.
Details from the complaint reveal Brown’s history of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. He had been released from a psychiatric facility just days before the shooting. Brown’s criminal record includes a range of offenses, from armed robbery in Michigan to drug-related charges in New Hampshire and multiple convictions in Massachusetts for assault and gun violations.
Brown’s parole and probation history is extensive. He was nearing the end of his parole term but remained under probation for past offenses. Meghan Kelly, spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, confirmed Brown lacked a license for firearm possession.
Narrating his criminal past, Allain noted Brown’s conviction for armed robbery in Michigan in 1994, an escape attempt in 1997, and drug offenses in 2007. More recently, in 2021, Brown was convicted for shooting at police officers in Massachusetts. At that time, prosecutors recommended a minimum 10-year prison sentence due to his violent actions and probation status for a 2014 conviction involving assault and witness intimidation. However, the judge sentenced Brown to 5-6 years in prison plus probation, crediting him for prior detention time.
The decision drew widespread criticism, with local officials voicing concerns about accountability for violent offenders. The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association expressed their frustration on social media, describing it as a significant oversight.
During Brown’s 2021 sentencing, a police officer described him as “a very dangerous individual who doesn’t care who he hurts,” while a probation officer highlighted the similarities between his current and previous offenses, underscoring the risk he posed to the community. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, who handled the sentencing, acknowledged the input from law enforcement but was influenced by supportive letters from Brown’s family and community members praising his efforts to reform.
“Mr. Brown, I do realize I’m kind of taking a chance on you,” Judge Sanders remarked, indicating her awareness of the potential risks involved in her sentencing decision. She expressed hope that her judgment would prove correct, even as she admitted the inherent uncertainty in predicting future behavior.
