Mass. Trooper, Former Marine Stop Shooter’s Roadway Rampage
What to know
- A gunman opened fire along Memorial Drive in Cambridge on Monday afternoon, shooting randomly at passing vehicles and wounding two men—one an MBTA bus driver—who remain hospitalized with life‑threatening injuries, prosecutors said.
- A Massachusetts State Police trooper and an armed former Marine moved toward the gunfire and shot the suspect, ending the attack within minutes.
- Investigators believe the gunman fired 50 to 60 rounds in an apparently random act of violence, striking more than a dozen vehicles before being taken into custody and facing multiple felony charges.
How the incident unfolded
Shortly after 1 p.m., Boston police called Cambridge police to alert them that Brown, who had been acting erratically, was believed to be in Cambridge and carrying a rifle, Ryan said. Massachusetts State Police and Cambridge police started searching for Brown and soon made their way to Memorial Drive as gunfire erupted in the street.
“By the time they were making their arrival, there was already an active shooter situation,” Ryan said. " ... He was actively firing in an erratic fashion at various vehicles along the road."
The two victims were struck as people on the street and in cars ran from the gunfire, the district attorney said. One of the victims was an MBTA bus driver.
Amid the chaotic scene, a trooper and a former Marine, who was legally carrying a gun, moved toward Brown and fired back, Ryan said. Brown was struck by gunfire multiple times and was medically treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital.
Brown is believed to have fired 50 to 60 rounds, one of which hit the trooper’s cruiser, the district attorney said. At least a dozen vehicles were hit by gunfire.
“There is no reason to suggest that there’s any connection between this individual and any of the people who were in any of those cars that were struck,” Ryan said. " ... This incident lasted minutes thanks to the actions of the trooper and that civilian."
After the scene cleared, investigators found people hiding under their cars, the district attorney said.
“Those individuals on the river walking, pushing baby carriages, riding by...we know that that weapon had the capacity to have struck people on the other side of [the Charles River],” Ryan said.
Witness accounts
Joseph Minino Rodriguez, 25, said he saw the shooter holding the gun from the 18th floor of his Memorial Drive apartment.
“I start looking out the window, then I start seeing cars doing U-turns, cars speeding,” he said.
The gunman walked casually down the street, shooting at random, including at cars nearby, according to Rodriguez. At one point, he yelled at the cars and hit their windows with his gun.
A witness video shared by Boston 25 News showed the gunman walking into the street and firing several shots.
“To be honest, I couldn’t believe it,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a really peaceful city around here.”
Rodriguez said he called 911 and explained what he was witnessing, even as the gunman continued firing. The incident drew a large police response.
A witness video obtained by WCVB shows the exchange of gunfire with the suspect, who is seen lying on the ground and shooting back. Three police officers can then be seen approaching him.
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