Erratic Gunman Opens Fire At Random Cars In Massachusetts— Two Men Sustain Life-threatening Injuries

On the afternoon of May 10, a gunman armed with an assault-style rifle opened fire on random vehicles passing along Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The incident has left two men with life-threatening injuries and sparked massive panic before the gunman was shot and subdued by police.

The suspect has been identified as Tyler Brown, 46. He attacked in broad daylight near Harvard University around 1:20 p.m. on Sunday.

According to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, at around 1:06 p.m. on May 10, Cambridge police responded to a call from Boston police, who received a report about an “active shooter situation."

When Cambridge police and Massachusetts State Police arrived at the scene, Brown was seen open-firing at random cars. People were seen jumping from their cars in panic, looking for ways to shield themselves from the gunfire.

According to authorities, Brown discharged between 50 and 60 rounds, striking at least a dozen vehicles, including a USPS mail truck and a Massachusetts State Police cruiser.

A Massachusetts State Police trooper and a Marine with a license to carry a gun heroically charged at Brown, shooting him multiple times to subdue the situation. He was later treated on scene and brought to a local hospital.

According to authorities, the gunman is now receiving treatment. Meanwhile, two men were struck by his open gunfire. They sustained life-threatening injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

According to Boston 25 News, Brown has a lengthy rap sheet, including charges over another shooting incident in 2020, where he fired 13 rounds at police officers in the South End. He was scheduled to see his parole officer on May 11. Officers tried to locate him in his Dorchester residence, but he was not there. Officials revealed that Cambridge police were warned about a possibly armed man acting erratically.

Witnesses described the Sunday incident as pure chaos. A driver told WBZ-TV, “Got out, walked up to the car in front of me to my coworker to see what was going on. Saw the dude in the street lifting [the gun] up at me.”

The witness added, "I dipped back into my car and ducked behind my dashboard. My buddy got out; he ran for it. State trooper pulled up directly on the side of me, got out, got behind his car right in front of my driver’s side mirror, and got in the gunfight with him."

Two women had to dart out of the vehicle they were on to pick up special needs children from school. One of them said, “I ran through the bushes and fell in here and ran all the way down the street. And then they took me into this building over here because I was all shook up and everything. Because I was running for my life.”

DA Marian Ryan told reporters, "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.”

After Brown’s treatment is over, he will be facing the charges of two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and criminal possession of a weapon.