Two people were seriously injured on Monday after an armed man began shooting at moving vehicles near Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, authorities reported.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Marian Ryan indicated during a press conference that the attacker used a military-style rifle and stopped “erratically” against several cars in the vicinity of Memorial Drive and River Street shortly before 1:30 in the afternoon.

The suspect was identified as Tyler Brown, 46 years old, who was later injured by a state agent and a civilian, described as a former Marine, before being detained by authorities.

The victims were inside their vehicles

According to the prosecutor's office, the two victims hit by the shots were inside their cars at the time of the attack. Both remain hospitalized with potentially fatal wounds.

Aerial images broadcast by local TV WCVB showed Brown being arrested by police officers, while a black sedan remained off the road after an apparent crash. At the place a rifle was also found on the grass.

The Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, assured that there is an active threat to the population, although asked residents to avoid the area while investigations continue.

The suspect had already been convicted for attacking police officers

Authorities revealed that Brown had a criminal record involving violent acts. In 2020, he was accused of shooting police officers in Boston and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder in 2021.

In that case, prosecutors requested a sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison. However, a judge imposed a lesser sentence of five to six years, after which he regained his freedom a few years later.

The then Suffolk County prosecutor, Rachael Rollins, publicly criticized the judicial decision and maintained that the sentence “did not reflect the gravity of the violence committed.”

Witnesses described scenes of horror

Several witnesses recounted moments of chaos while the gunman shot in the street. Lisa Schill, who was travelling in a school van, reported that had to abandon the vehicle and run to get to safety.

“I was running for my life,” he declared to local media.

Another driver claimed to have seen the man pointing directly at the cars before the exchange of gunfire with the police took place.

According to CBS News, a bullet went through the windshield of a U.S. Postal Service truck and passed near the headrest of the driver, who was unharmed.

The prosecution reported that Brown remains hospitalized in intensive care and will face charges for armed assault with intent to murder, illegal possession of weapons and other additional crimes.

The authorities are also investigating reports according to which the suspect had made suicidal comments before the attack and was under parole supervision at the time of the events.