Police Shoot Rifle-Wielding Suspect on Memorial Drive in Cambridge
A man armed with a rifle was shot by police after opening fire on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, prompting a significant emergency response.
On Monday afternoon, a man armed with a rifle opened fire on Memorial Drive near River Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., prompting a substantial emergency response and the closure of the area.
Witnesses reported that the suspect began shooting indiscriminately at passing vehicles. Dennis Rodriguez, a worker at a nearby Mobil station, recounted,
"A guy holding a rifle, a semi-automatic rifle...I ran. He just started shooting out of nowhere, and he shot a lot. The guy who was shooting, they shot him down over there."
Another witness likened the scene to a video game, stating that the suspect fired at cars along Memorial Drive before engaging in a gunfight with police, during which more than 30 shots were exchanged.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed that troopers were involved in the shooting. Emergency medical services treated at least one individual for a gunshot wound at the scene.
Cambridge police assured the public that there was no ongoing danger but advised residents to avoid the area due to the active investigation. Governor Maura Healey stated she was closely monitoring the situation and expressed gratitude to first responders for their swift actions.
The investigation is ongoing, with state troopers and Cambridge officers working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.