Crime

Over a FaceTime call with his parole officer Monday, Tyler Brown allegedly waved a semi-automatic rifle and said, “I’m not going back to prison.” 

By Abby Patkin

May 12, 2026 | 3:11 PM

2 minutes to read

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Shortly before Monday’s shooting on Memorial Drive, suspected gunman Tyler Brown allegedly made suicidal statements and waved an assault rifle over a FaceTime call with his parole officer, court documents reveal. 

A criminal complaint filed Tuesday in Cambridge District Court sheds further light on Brown’s erratic behavior — and authorities’ scramble to track him down — prior to the daytime shooting that ground Memorial Drive to a halt and left two people with life-threatening injuries.

According to the filing, Brown’s parole officer contacted Boston police about an hour before the shooting to report that the 46-year-old, “a known crack cocaine user,” told him over the phone “that he had relapsed and was ready to end his life” ahead of a scheduled drug test.

Earlier that day, another individual who lives in the same rooming house as Brown allegedly informed the parole officer that Brown had been “getting high all night before,” adding, “he’s off his rocker.” Previously diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, Brown had just been released from the psychiatric facility McLean Hospital last Friday, according to court documents. 

Over a FaceTime call with his parole officer Monday, Brown allegedly waved a semi-automatic rifle and said, “these people are gonna f—ing pay,” and “I’m not going back to prison,” the criminal complaint states. Brown was still on probation for a May 2020 shootout with law enforcement in the South End, and his concerned parole officer purportedly warned Boston police that Brown is known to carry knives and had an assault rifle, though he is not licensed to carry firearms. 

Boston police pinged Brown’s cellphone and traced the device to Cambridgeport. According to court documents, authorities were en route when Brown allegedly made his way to Memorial Drive and shot two men as they sat in their respective vehicles. Both sustained life-threatening injuries and remained hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office confirmed. 

Brown was also shot multiple times in his extremities after a Massachusetts State Police trooper and an armed civilian fired back. The civilian, a Marine veteran and former firearms instructor, told investigators he retrieved a pistol from a safe in his vehicle and fired eight rounds at Brown before helping others escape, according to court documents. 

In a statement Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey praised first responders and the ex-Marine, who has not been publicly identified. 

“In the middle of a terrifying and chaotic situation on Memorial Drive, troopers and emergency personnel ran toward danger to protect innocent people, secure the scene and prevent further violence,” Healey said. “Their quick actions and professionalism undoubtedly saved lives.” 

Brown is represented by the Committee For Public Counsel, which declined to comment on the allegations Tuesday. It remains unclear when he will be arraigned in connection with the shooting.