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Millis cop to face charges for fake shooting story – Metro US

Millis cop to face charges for fake shooting story

UPDATE: Millis cop who faked attack on his cruiser plead not guilty
John Blanding/Globe Staff

What started out as a seemingly random and bizarre attack on a police officer in a quiet town has turned sour for the Millis Police Department, who have filed charges against an officer who shot up his own cruiser, which burst into flames, claiming it was another gunman.

RELATED:State Police: Shots fired at police cruiser in Millis

Officer Bryan Johnson, 24, has been charged with misleading investigators, issuing false statements in an emergency situation, malicious destruction of property and unlawfully discharging a firearm. He was set to be arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Friday.

Johnson was put on paid administrative leave, but was expected to be fired from the force, officials said.

Johnson was hired as a permanent intermittent police officer for the town, which is equivalent to basic training for new recruits.

The report of gunfire came on Wednesday afternoon, when Johnson said a white man in his mid-20’s or early 30’s in a red pickup truck opened fire on his cruiser, causing the vehicle to hit a tree and catch fire.

SWAT Teams and large Millis and State Police presence secured the densely wooded area near Forest Road looking for the non-existent suspect. Millis schools were closed on Thursday as a result of the manhunt.

RELATED:Millis cop faked shooting attack story: police

But ballistics tests found that the bullets found in Johnson’s cruiser came from his weapon, according to police.

Police don’t know about a motive for the false report and were not sure if he set fire to his cruiser.