April 14, 2025 | Boston, MA
A man wearing a gas mask pepper-sprayed law enforcement officers inside a courthouse near Boston on Monday, causing chaos and prompting a rapid lockdown of the facility, according to authorities and video footage of the incident.
The shocking attack occurred at the Newton District Court, located just outside the city, as officers attempted to take the suspect into custody on an unrelated matter. Surveillance video and footage captured by bystanders show the man suddenly donning a gas mask before pulling out a canister and unleashing pepper spray directly at officers.
“He pulled it out of nowhere — like he had planned the whole thing,” said one courthouse employee who witnessed the incident. “People were coughing, officers were disoriented, and everyone started yelling.”
The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old man from Waltham, Massachusetts, was reportedly in court for a probation violation hearing. Authorities have not released his name pending formal charges. He was immediately subdued by additional officers on site after the brief scuffle, which left at least three officers temporarily incapacitated due to exposure to the chemical agent.
Massachusetts State Police and local authorities confirmed the incident and said the suspect is now facing multiple felony charges, including assault and battery on a police officer, use of a chemical weapon, and disturbing the peace.
“This was a deliberate and dangerous act of violence against law enforcement personnel,” said Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan in a statement. “We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness, and charges will reflect the severity of the attack.”
First responders were seen tending to officers and courthouse staff affected by the spray. No serious injuries were reported, but some individuals were treated on-site for eye irritation and breathing difficulty.
The courthouse remained closed for the remainder of the day for decontamination, and court sessions were postponed or moved to virtual hearings where possible.
Security procedures are expected to be reviewed and tightened in the coming days. Investigators are also looking into how the suspect managed to bring both a gas mask and pepper spray into a government building undetected.
This incident comes amid rising concerns about courtroom safety and targeted violence against law enforcement. While rare, attacks inside courthouses have drawn national attention in recent years, prompting calls for improved screening and emergency response protocols.
As of Tuesday morning, the suspect remained in custody without bail pending his arraignment later this week.
