A 46-year-old defendant charged with injuring two motorists during a shooting incident on a Cambridge street entered not guilty pleas Thursday during his court appearance.
Tyler Brown participated in the Cambridge District Court proceeding through video connection from his hospital room, remaining largely silent with his eyes appearing closed throughout most of the session. When the judge announced that not guilty pleas were being recorded for charges including armed assault with intent to murder and six additional counts such as unlawful firearm possession, Brown responded with a nod.
Judge David Frank mandated that Brown stay in detention, whether at the medical facility or jail, until his scheduled hearing on May 21. Brown’s legal representative, Carolyn McGowan, chose not to make statements during the proceeding beyond responding to the judge’s scheduling inquiries. The Committee for Public Counsel Services/Public Defender Division, which lists her as senior trial counsel, has not provided comment when contacted.
Authorities allege that Brown discharged his weapon Monday afternoon on a busy thoroughfare beside the Charles River in Cambridge. Frightened motorists fled their cars or sought protection underneath vehicles as the incident unfolded.
According to Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Nicole Allain, one victim who sustained a gunshot wound to his head has been discharged from medical care, while a second driver shot multiple times in the leg continues receiving hospital treatment.
Approximately one hour prior to the shooting incident, Brown participated in a video call with his parole officer. While armed, he disclosed on camera that he had experienced a relapse and expressed suicidal intentions. The parole officer contacted law enforcement, who began tracking Brown and located him in Cambridge through cellular phone data.
Court documents detail the circumstances preceding the violence. Investigators report that Brown had received diagnoses for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression, and had been discharged Friday from psychiatric care.
The filing indicates Brown was serving both parole and probation terms for previous offenses including armed assault to murder and additional firearm violations. While his parole period was scheduled to conclude this week, his probation term remained active.
Meghan Kelly, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that Brown lacked proper licensing to possess a firearm.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan outlined Brown’s criminal background dating to 1994, including an armed robbery conviction in Michigan. Additional convictions include a 1997 escape charge in Michigan and drug-related offenses in New Hampshire in 2007.
Within Massachusetts, Brown has accumulated multiple convictions for assault and gun charges, including a 2021 conviction for shooting at police officers.
During that case, prosecutors recommended a minimum 10-year prison sentence, citing the “level of brazen violence” and his probation status from a 2014 conviction involving assault and witness intimidation. However, the judge imposed a five to six-year state prison term plus three years probation, crediting nearly 18 months of pre-trial detention.
The judicial decision at that time generated controversy and criticism from local officials worried about insufficient consequences for violent criminals — concerns that have emerged again. The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association posted on social media, calling the situation “Talk about a ball drop.”
