A man notorious for his violent past, who previously served time for shooting at police officers, has found himself back behind bars after a recent, alarming episode. Tyler Brown, 46, was apprehended in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday, accused of shooting two men inside their vehicles with an assault-style rifle, according to police reports.
Authorities state that Brown was captured on video recklessly waving the firearm in the street, discharging between 50 and 60 rounds. The two victims are reported to be in critical condition, suffering life-threatening injuries.
The chaotic scene drew the swift response of law enforcement. A State Trooper, with the assistance of a former Marine who was present, managed to subdue Brown by shooting and wounding him, leading to his arrest.
This incident isn’t Brown’s first brush with the law. Back in May 2020, he was charged with the attempted murder of Boston police officers. By 2021, he had pleaded guilty to these charges after firing 13 shots at officers responding to a 911 call about a gun-wielding individual.
Despite his previous conviction, Brown was released from prison under a lenient agreement, only to soon find himself involved in yet another violent outburst. The case raises questions about the efficacy of the justice system in handling repeat offenders and safeguarding public safety.
Prosecutors said Brown let off 13 rounds at officers who responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun.
At the time of that incident he was on probation for a 2014 conviction relating to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, as well as witness intimidation.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins asked then Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders to imprison Brown for between 10 to 12 years, with five years of probation to follow.
But the gunman was only handed only 5 to 6 years behind bars for the attempted murder charge by Judge Sanders.
The suspect was caught on video waving the gun erratically in the street after letting off dozen of shots
After police responded to the scene, Brown was shot and wounded by a State Trooper and a civilian before being taken into custody
‘My office recommended a significant sentence for Mr. Brown given the nature of his offenses and the trauma and harm he inflicted. I am disappointed in the sentence that was imposed,’ read a statement from Rollins in 2021.
‘Members of law enforcement put their lives at risk every day to protect us. They serve us, at times being unfairly criticized for acts committed by officers a thousand miles away felt and witnessed around the globe.
‘Violence will not be condoned in Suffolk County. Whether that violence is committed by or against a domestic partner, a stranger, a loved one, a family member, a spouse, an acquaintance, a police officer, a suspect, anyone, we will hold the perpetrator of the violence accountable and advocate on behalf of the victim.
‘This sentence doesn’t do that, and I want to personally apologize to each of these officers and their families. I strongly believe that the sentence we proposed – 10 to 12 years followed by five years of probation – was appropriate for the level of brazen violence committed.
‘Of equal concern is the imposition of concurrent sentences for a prior and separate violent assault on a different member of our community.
‘We stand solidly by the sentence we proposed and will continue to request significant sentences in the face of such brazen and violent behavior.’
Rollins is no longer the DA for Suffolk County, Sanders has also left her post and now works as a mediator and arbitrator. The Daily Mail has approached Sanders for comment.
This is not Brown’s first run in with the law. In May 2020 he was charged with attempting to kill Boston cops and pleaded guilty in 2021 while on probation
For the attempted murder charge he was handed only 5 to 6 years behind bars by then Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, seen here
On social media it quickly emerged that Brown had been let off with a lesser sentence in the past, sparking anger.
One person posted: ‘Judges that release violent criminals like this should be held accountable if they were to kill/hurt again. Would literally stop everything.’
Another said: ‘Attempted to murder cops and only in prison for 6 years? If you try to kill someone, whether you succeed or not, that should be it for you.’
One other posted: ‘How are we so soft on criminals that attempted murder on a cop is only 5-6 years? This is pure insanity. It’s not fair we have to live with these monsters among us.’
According to police sources who spoke with CBS News, a photo of Brown was circulated as part of a safety bulletin prior on Monday.
Cops attempted a wellbeing check at his home in Dorchester when a parole officer reported that Brown had made suicidal statements, sources told the outlet.
It was also claimed that he was on FaceTime with an assault rifle and told the person who was on the call that he would use it.
Shortly after the bulletin was issued he was recorded by witnesses patrolling the area near Memorial Drive with the gun.
One of the bullets, according to CBS, struck a US Postal Service truck – going through the windshield and just missing the driver’s headrest.
Officers are seen here at the scene on Monday
Former Suffolk County DA Rachael Rollins, pictured here, requested that Brown be handed a heavier sentence when he was last in trouble with the law
The female driver of the truck was stopped at a red light at the time when the bullet came through her window, she was not injured.
One man who saw the shooting 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. 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, got in the gunfight with him.’
A woman who was in a school van on her way to pick up children with special needs told the outlet she was forced to leave the van and ran into some nearby bushes.
She said: ‘I ran through the bushes and fell in here, and ran all the way down the street.
‘And then they took me in this building over here because I was all shook and everything. Because I was running for my life.’
According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Brown is currently in hospital in intensive care.
