Man Who Fired at Police Sentenced to Prison
BOSTON, August 19, 2021— A man who attempted to kill a Boston Police officer last year has been sentenced to state prison, Suffolk County District Rachael Rollins said.
TYLER BROWN, 42, pleaded guilty yesterday to eight charges, including armed assault with intent to murder and attempted assault and battery by means of discharging a firearm for firing at a Boston Police officer; three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for pointing a firearm at additional responding Boston Police officers; and single counts of unlawful possession of a firearm as a subsequent offense, carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large capacity feeding device. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kettlewell of District Attorney Rollins’ Senior Trial Unit recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years in state prison followed by five years of probation. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, however, only imposed a term of five to six years in state prison and three years of probation, during which time Mr. Brown will be required to undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment.
At the time of the armed assault, Mr. Brown was on probation for a 2014 conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (knife) and witness intimidation. He was sentenced to four to five years in state prison for violating his probation. Judge Saunders determined that sentence will be served concurrently with the term she imposed on his most recent violent felonies.
“When an individual commits serious, violent offenses that threaten the lives of our community members – which include members of law enforcement – I will advocate for their removal and detention. My office recommended a significant sentence for Mr. Brown given the nature of his offenses and the trauma and harm he inflicted. I am disappointed in the sentence that was imposed,” District Attorney Rollins said. “Members of law enforcement put their lives at risk every day to protect us. They serve us, at times being unfairly criticized for acts committed by officers a thousand miles away felt and witnessed around the globe. Violence will not be condoned in Suffolk County. Whether that violence is committed by or against a domestic partner, a stranger, a loved one, a family member, a spouse, an acquaintance, a police officer, a suspect, anyone, we will hold the perpetrator of the violence accountable and advocate on behalf of the victim. This sentence doesn't do that, and I want to personally apologize to each of these officers and their families. I strongly believe that the sentence we proposed – 10 to 12 years followed by five years of probation – was appropriate for the level of brazen violence committed. Of equal concern is the imposition of concurrent sentences for a prior and separate violent assault on a different member of our community.”
ADA Kettlewell told the court that, on May 16, 2020, Boston Police responded to a report of a man with a gun in the area of Northhampton Street. Officers working a detail nearby were the first to respond and located Mr. Brown on Massachusetts Avenue. He matched the description provided by witnesses and appeared emotionally disturbed. When officers attempted to speak with him, he tossed a bag he was carrying at one officer and fled. The officers pursued him on foot and were joined by two additional responding officers. Upon reaching Chester Park, Mr. Brown, who is not licensed to carry a firearm, turned and fired a .40 Glock semi-automatic at close range at one officer’s chest. Luckily, the officer was able to dive for cover and was narrowly missed by the bullets.
Mr. Brown continued to shoot at the officers, firing a total of 13 rounds. Two officers returned fire. Combined, they only discharged five rounds in response to Mr. Brown’s barrage of gunfire. Miraculously, no officers or civilians were shot during the exchange.
“These police officers responded to a 911 call. They were met by Mr. Brown who brazenly attempted to kill them on the streets Boston. Mr. Brown shot nearly three times as many bullets as two BPD officers did in response to his violence. Mr. Brown’s actions have inflicted significant trauma on these officers and their loved ones, as well as bystanders and our community,” District Attorney Rollins said. “We stand solidly by the sentence we proposed and will continue to request significant sentences in the face of such brazen and violent behavior.”
Tina Nguyen was the assigned victim witness advocate. Mr. Brown was represented by Makis Antzoulatous.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.