A daylight shooting involving a rifle-wielding suspect and law enforcement officers sparked panic along Memorial Drive near the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus on Monday afternoon, prompting a massive emergency response and road closures in the area.
According to the Cambridge Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 1:30 p.m. near River Street. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Massachusetts State Police, rushed to the scene as witnesses described hearing dozens of shots fired in broad daylight.
Videos circulating online appeared to show a man carrying a rifle firing near moving traffic before an exchange of gunfire with police officers. Authorities later confirmed that troopers were involved in the shooting.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes along the busy roadway bordering the Charles River, with some saying the suspect appeared to be firing randomly at passing vehicles.
“A guy holding a rifle, a semi-automatic rifle... I ran. He just started shooting out of nowhere, and he shot a lot,” a gas station worker identified as Dennis Rodriguez told local media. Another witness compared the scene to the video game “Grand Theft Auto” and claimed more than 30 shots were exchanged between the suspect and police.
Emergency crews and ambulances flooded the area while portions of Memorial Drive were shut down. Video footage from the scene showed police cruisers blocking roads and yellow crime scene tape stretched across parts of the street.
Massachusetts State Police said at least one person was treated for a gunshot wound, though officials have not publicly released the identities or conditions of those involved. Witnesses told local outlets that the suspected gunman was shot by police after allegedly opening fire near traffic.
Authorities later stated there was no ongoing threat to the public but urged residents to avoid the area as investigators continued processing the crime scene.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said she was “closely monitoring” the situation and thanked first responders for quickly securing the scene.
“There is no ongoing threat to the public. However, residents and commuters are strongly encouraged to avoid the area to allow public safety personnel to do their work,” Healey said in a statement.
Social media users and local residents shared videos and firsthand accounts online as helicopters hovered above Cambridge throughout the afternoon. Several Reddit users claimed nearby schools were temporarily locked down while police activity unfolded in the area.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have not yet confirmed whether additional suspects were involved. Investigations by Cambridge Police and Massachusetts State Police are ongoing.