A man accused of carrying out a violent shooting spree on a busy Cambridge roadway has pleaded not guilty to several serious criminal charges linked to the incident that left two drivers wounded earlier this week.
Authorities say 46-year-old Tyler Brown appeared remotely from a hospital bed during his court hearing on Thursday. Prosecutors allege Brown opened fire with an assault-style rifle along Memorial Drive near the Charles River, sending drivers and pedestrians scrambling for safety.
Investigators claim more than 70 rounds were fired during the attack, which injured two men in separate vehicles. One victim reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head and has since been released from the hospital, while another remains hospitalized after being struck multiple times in the leg.
Prosecutors Detail Frightening Cambridge Shooting Incident
According to court documents, the shooting happened Monday afternoon on one of the area’s busiest roads. Witnesses described scenes of panic as motorists abandoned their vehicles and attempted to hide from the gunfire.
Officials said Brown was eventually stopped after law enforcement officers confronted him. He was later hospitalized with injuries.
Prosecutors charged him with armed assault with intent to murder, illegal firearm possession, and several additional offenses. A judge ordered Brown to remain in custody pending another hearing scheduled for later this month.
Authorities Reveal Troubling Events Before the Attack
Investigators stated that shortly before the shooting, Brown reportedly contacted his parole officer through a video call and expressed suicidal thoughts while displaying a firearm.
Police began searching for him after the call and later tracked him to Cambridge using phone records.
Court filings also revealed that Brown had recently been released from a psychiatric treatment facility and had previously been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Officials confirmed he was on parole and probation at the time of the incident.
Long Criminal Record Raises Public Safety Concerns
Brown’s criminal history stretches back decades and includes convictions involving armed robbery, assault, weapons violations, and prior shootings involving police officers.
The latest incident has sparked renewed criticism from some public officials and law enforcement groups who argue that repeat violent offenders are not being adequately monitored or sentenced.
Massachusetts prosecutors previously sought a longer prison sentence against Brown in an earlier firearms case, but a judge handed down a reduced term after considering his mental health struggles and personal background.
The investigation into the Cambridge shooting remains ongoing.
