Framingham Cop Shooting: Dangerousness Hearing Postponed

FRAMINGHAM, MA—A dangerousness hearing has been postponed for a local pizza shop owner who was at the center of a police standoff atop his pizza shop last Thursday night. He was arraigned Friday in Framingham District Court on multiple attempted murder and firearm charges. Justin Brakespear, 31, pleaded not guilty.

Breakspear, 31, of Framingham, has been charged with six counts of armed assault with intent to murder, six counts of attempt to commit murder, possession of ammunition without a license, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of a firearm without a license, assault with a dangerous weapon, witness intimidation, four counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device and possession of a firearm after two violent crime or drug convictions.

Judge David Frank ordered the defendant to undergo a mental health evaluation and further ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing originally scheduled for July 26. A new date is expected to be set on Wednesday.

On Thursday, July 20, shortly after 8:30 p.m., Framingham police responded to a residence on Whiting Road for a report of a man armed with a gun. When police got there, they allegedly spotted the defendant with what appeared to be a black rifle slung across his shoulder. He allegedly discharged at the six responding officers and fled.

Police found Breakspear at a Water Street property near Edgell Road after a witness said he saw a man in the area of his shop. The Massachusetts State Police Airwing spotted a man on the roof a building on Edgell Road. The defendant surrendered to police shortly after being located.