In Woburn, a suburban area of Boston, Massachusetts, local authorities have taken into custody a man accused of entering a courthouse with a gas mask and tactical equipment, subsequently deploying pepper spray on several individuals present. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Nicholas Akerberg from Yarmouth Port, entered the Woburn District Court sporting a helmet, gas mask, tactical boots, and sunglasses, according to security footage. He utilized pepper spray against a number of court officers, a police officer, and an assistant district attorney, as per the statement shared by the Middlesex district attorney’s office.
Akerberg was also reported to have physically assaulted several people through punching and shoving before law enforcement was able to subdue him. Following the incident, Akerberg, along with a police officer and two court officers, were transported to a nearby hospital, but all were later discharged.
The district attorney’s office disclosed that Akerberg faced charges of six counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, among other offenses. Subsequent investigations discovered that Akerberg was in possession of eight pepper spray canisters and two smoke canisters.
Despite attempts to gain more information regarding legal representation for Akerberg, neither the police nor the district attorney’s office responded to inquiries. During a court proceeding that took place on Monday, Akerberg was denied bail, and he is scheduled to undergo a competency evaluation prior to his next court appearance on May 2.