A Massachusetts judge acknowledged she was "taking a chance" when she gave a lenient sentence in 2021 to Tyler Brown, who is now accused of opening fire randomly on a Cambridge street Monday.

Brown allegedly used an assault rifle to shoot across a busy Cambridge thoroughfare in broad daylight, according to police reports. The incident occurred six years after law enforcement officials had warned that Brown posed a significant threat.

Prior to Monday's shooting, Brown had been convicted of attempting to kill a Boston police officer. During his 2021 sentencing hearing, the presiding judge openly admitted her uncertainty about giving Brown a lighter punishment than what prosecutors had recommended.

Police sources indicate that officers had previously warned the court system that Brown "would hurt or kill someone" if not given appropriate consequences for his earlier crimes. These warnings were made before the judge decided on the reduced sentence.

The case highlights ongoing debates about judicial discretion in sentencing violent offenders and the challenge courts face in predicting future criminal behavior. Brown's previous conviction involved an attack on a law enforcement officer, which typically carries severe penalties.

Authorities have not yet released details about casualties or the full extent of Monday's shooting incident. The investigation into the Cambridge shooting remains ongoing.