Man accused of firing assault-style rifle at random drivers held without bond – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
Cambridge, Massachusetts – A 46-year-old man accused of opening fire with an assault-style rifle on drivers along a busy stretch of Memorial Drive has been ordered held without bail following a dangerousness hearing. The decision came after prosecutors detailed a rapid sequence of events that left bystanders fleeing for cover and two people wounded. The ruling underscores ongoing questions about how prior criminal cases are weighed when defendants return to the community.
Sequence of Events on Memorial Drive
Police responded to reports of an active shooter on Memorial Drive on May 11. Prosecutors described the suspect walking down the center of the road and firing in an erratic pattern at passing vehicles. The weapon’s power allowed rounds to reach across the Charles River, according to statements from Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.
People abandoned their cars and sought shelter, with some hiding beneath vehicles as gunfire continued. Audio played at a subsequent news conference captured the rapid succession of shots and the immediate arrival of sirens. Investigators later determined that roughly 60 rounds had been discharged during the incident.
Background of Prior Convictions and Sentencing Concerns
At the time of the shooting, the defendant was on probation stemming from a 2020 case involving shots fired at police officers. During that earlier sentencing, the judge acknowledged the risk of a lighter term after hearing from experienced officers and probation staff who warned of potential danger to the public.
Records show a broader criminal history spanning three states, including prior convictions for assault and battery in Massachusetts, drug possession in New Hampshire, and armed robbery plus escape from custody in Michigan. Prosecutors highlighted these details to support their request that the defendant remain in custody.
Hearing and Immediate Court Outcome
The defendant appeared virtually from a hospital bed during the May 21 hearing, with his attorney present. When given the opportunity to respond to the prosecution’s motion for no bond, the defense stated it would present a full case at trial but chose not to contest the current request.
Judge David Frank granted the motion, ordering the defendant held without bond. The proceeding also included confirmation that both shooting victims had already been released from medical care.
Upcoming Legal Steps
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 22. It remains unclear whether the defendant will appear in person or continue to participate from a medical facility. The case continues to draw attention to how courts balance public safety considerations with individual rights in high-profile firearm incidents.
