Two men suffered life-threatening injuries on Monday afternoon after a man opened fire on vehicles along busy Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, authorities said. The incident, which occurred shortly after 1 p.m., ended when the alleged gunman was shot and taken into custody following a shootout with law enforcement and a legally armed civilian.

According to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, the suspect, identified as 46-year-old Tyler Brown of Boston, was walking down the middle of Memorial Drive with a rifle, firing at passing cars in an "erratic" and "intentional" manner. Officers and witnesses described chaos as drivers abandoned their vehicles and ran for safety, some taking cover under their cars. Video from bystanders captured the scene as dozens of shots rang out. Investigators estimate Brown fired between 50 and 60 rounds, striking several vehicles and wounding two men in separate cars, including an MBTA paratransit van driver. Both victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, authorities confirmed.

Brown was confronted by a Massachusetts State Police trooper and a civilian described as a former Marine licensed to carry a firearm. The two returned fire, striking Brown multiple times in his extremities and stopping the shooting within minutes, as detailed by the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. Brown was treated at the scene and transported to a Boston hospital, where he remains in custody. He is expected to face charges including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder and multiple firearms offenses.

Authorities said there was no immediate threat to the public following the incident. Memorial Drive remained closed for much of the afternoon as police gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses. Governor Maura Healey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley both posted on social media, expressing support for the victims and gratitude for first responders.

Brown's criminal history includes a 2020 conviction for firing at Boston Police officers, for which he served a five to six-year sentence. At the time of Monday's shooting, he was reportedly under state probation or parole supervision.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police urging anyone with information or video of the event to contact Massachusetts State Police detectives. Prosecutors said Brown’s arraignment will be scheduled once his medical condition allows.

Bill Handel