Police: Millis, Massachusetts, Officer Fabricated Shooting Story

A part-time police officer who claimed to have taken gunfire Wednesday before getting into a fiery car accident with his cruiser completely fabricated the story, police in Massachusetts said Thursday.

The officer, identified by sources as Bryan Johnson of Millis, was scheduled to begin training as a full-time officer. He is now being fired, however, according to police, who have not released the officer's name pending formal charges.

"We have determined that the officer's story was fabricated," said Millis Police Sgt. Bill Dwyer.

Dwyer said other than shots fired by the officer into his own cruiser, no ballistic evidence was recovered at the scene. Based on that and other evidence, it was determined that the officer lied about being shot at by a man in a pickup truck.

Police won't say whether or not he torched his own cruiser, saying that is still under investigation.

"I was totally shocked," said Bruce Miccile, who says he knows Johnson's family well. "No idea why it was done or why he did it."

Miccile says that Johnson grew up with his children. According to Miccile, Johnson seemed "nervous and anxious" Wednesday when he stopped by his house to talk about what had happened.

"I guess he usually stops and asks someone on the side of the road if they need help," he said. "He was going to ask them if they needed help, and all of a sudden two shots were coming through his windshield."

Miccile said he had "no reason" not to believe Johnson, but had to sit down when he heard the news Thursday.

Other neighbors say Johnson lives at a Millis home in a quiet neighborhood with his parents.

"We've lived here for 19 years, and they're just a really really nice family, can't say anything bad about them," Donna O'Brien said.

"They're fabulous people," said Jennifer McPhee. "They've been wonderful neighbors and I think people jump to conclusions very quickly."

Police won't say if Johnson admitted to the alleged plot, but say ballistics evidence from Forest Road shows the shots weren't ever fired by a suspect, and that there never was a gunman around town.

Officials are also not commenting on a possible motive or the officer's prior job performance.

They say he was currently training to become a full-time officer.

Police also say there was two threats called into the Millis Middle School Wednesday, including a bomb threat.

At this time, Millis Police say they don't know if that threat is related to the fabricated shooting report.

Johnson is not in custody at this point. He was not at has his house when necn attempted to reach out for comment. Officials say they are determining what charges may be filed against him.

The incident remains under investigation.

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