Daylight police shooting on Memorial Drive in Cambridge prompts massive emergency response

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A daylight shootout involving a rifle-wielding suspect and law enforcement officers on Memorial Drive in Cambridge prompted a massive emergency response on Monday afternoon.

Officers responded to the area of Memorial Drive near River Street around 1:30 p.m. for a report of gunshots, according to the Cambridge Police Department.

Massachusetts State Police confirmed to Boston 25 News that troopers were involved in the shooting.

A law enforcement source tells Boston 25 News that the suspected shooter is Tyler Brown, a man in his 40s with a criminal history.

The law enforcement source tells Boston 25 that Brown was supposed to meet with his parole officer on Monday. The parole officer was allegedly gravely concerned for Brown’s well-being and when Boston Police officers went to locate him in Dorchester, Brown was not at his residence.

The law enforcement source tells Boston 25 News that the shooting appears to be a random act and that a retired military veteran also assisted at the scene in some manner.

Shocking video sent to Boston 25 shows the gunman opening fire indiscriminately on the usually busy street. Returning gunshots can be heard and the suspect can be seen reacting to a gunshot that either nearly missed him or hit his upper body.

Video from the scene showed multiple police cruisers and ambulances blocking nearby roads. Part of the area was also roped off with yellow police tape.

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Witnesses described how the rifle-wielding suspect had opened fire before being shot by police.

“A guy holding a rifle, a semi-automatic rifle...I ran. He just started shooting out of nowhere, and he shot a lot,” Mobil worker Dennis Rodriguez said. “The guy who was shooting, they shot him down over there.”

Another witness says the suspect was shooting at cars along Memorial Drive, likening what he saw to the video game “Grand Theft Auto.” He said a gunfight with police then ensued, with an exchange of more than 30 shots.

“He got into a gunfight with the cops. I was on the phone with 911,” the witness recalled. Once he got in that gunfight, that’s when he got dropped."

State police said that EMS treated at least one individual for a gunshot wound.

Court records obtained by Boston 25 News show that in 2020, Brown fired thirteen rounds at boston police officers in the South End. At the time of that shootout, Brown shot nearly three times as many bullets as two Boston police officers did in response.

Records show he was already on probation for a stabbing and witness intimidation.

Despite a recemmendation from the district attorney for a ten-to-twelve-year prison sentence, a Suffolk superior court judge handed down only five to six years. Because that sentence was served at the same time as his probation violation, he was released back into the community after just a few years.

At the time, the district attorney’s office publicly slammed the judge’s decision, calling the light sentence “disappointing” and an insult to the officers who were nearly killed.

Brown’s record spans nearly two decades, including prior firearm and drug convictions.

While there is no ongoing threat, Cambridge police urged the public to stay away from the scene due to ongoing activity.

“There is no ongoing danger to the public. Residents are asked to please avoid the area. Additional information will be publicized when it is available,” a post on Facebook read.

Gov. Maura Healey said she’s “closely monitoring” the situation.

“I’m closely monitoring the situation on Memorial Drive. Massachusetts State Police are on the scene and working alongside local law enforcement to investigate. There is no ongoing threat to the public. However, residents and commuters are strongly encouraged to avoid the area to allow public safety personnel to do their work. Grateful to first responders who worked quickly to keep people safe and secure the scene,” Healey said in a statement.

State troopers and Cambridge officers are investigating.

A source tells Boston 25 a retired military veteran helped at the scene, but it’s not clear at what point during the incident.

Boston 25 News has reached out to local and state authorities for additional information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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