The union representing Boston police officers tore into Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders after a Massachusetts state trooper and a Marine veteran halted a crazed gunman’s rampage.
The Boston Police Department advised Cambridge Police Monday that a person armed with a rifle in the area had been acting erratically. Forty-six-year-old Tyson Brown, who had a history of violent crime, fired 60 rounds days after being released from a psychiatric hospital, WBUR, a Boston-area NPR station, reported, drawing outrage from the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association.
“Talk about a ball drop,” the union posted on X Monday. “The fact that the judicial system thought it prudent to show leniency to a wannabe cop killer 5-years ago is not only the definition of insanity but an undeniable insult to those who put their lives on the line everyday.”
Talk about a ball drop. The fact that the judicial system thought it prudent to show leniency to a wannabe cop killer 5-years ago is not only the definition of insanity but an undeniable insult to those who put their lives on the line everyday. https://t.co/QvxyROBYmC
— Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) (@BostonPatrolmen) May 12, 2026
Brown fired at least 13 rounds from a .40-caliber Glock that he was illegally carrying at a police officer in a May 2020 incident, according to a 2021 release from the Suffolk County District Attorney.
The union also praised both the Marine veteran and the Massachusetts state trooper who stopped Brown’s shooting spree.
“Yet another example of heroes running towards the danger,” the union posted Tuesday. “When shots rang out in Cambridge yesterday, a MSP Trooper and Marine bravely engaged and nullified the shooter. Thanks to these two heroes, lives were undoubtedly saved.”
Yet another example of heroes running towards the danger. When shots rang out in Cambridge yesterday, a MSP Trooper and Marine bravely engaged and nullified the shooter. Thanks to these two heroes, lives were undoubtedly saved. https://t.co/BMbWWctmmo
— Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA) (@BostonPatrolmen) May 12, 2026
“Assistant District Attorney Andrew Kettlewell of District Attorney [Rachael] Rollins’ Senior Trial Unit recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years in state prison followed by five years of probation,” the Suffolk County DA’s office said. “Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders, however, only imposed a term of five to six years in state prison and three years of probation.”
“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,” Rollins said in the 2021 statement.
Even though at least 18 shots were fired in the May 2020 incident, no civilians or police were wounded, according to the Suffolk County DA. Prior to attacking the cop in May 2020, Brown had previously been convicted of witness intimidation and assault, according to The Associated Press.
“These police officers responded to a 911 call,” Rollins said in the 2021 statement. “They were met by Mr. Brown who brazenly attempted to kill them on the streets [of] Boston. Mr. Brown shot nearly three times as many bullets as two BPD officers did in response to his violence.”
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