A Millis police officer has been fired after authorities in Massachusetts reported that he fabricated a story about exchanging gunfire with an unknown assailant before getting into a fiery car accident with his cruiser.
The lying officer was allegedly identified by sources as Bryan Johnson, who was working part-time and was scheduled to receive training as a full-time officer, according to New England Cable News.
Millis Police Sergeant William Dwyer made the announcement on Thursday, only a day after authorities reported that they were looking for a gunman who allegedly fired at a police cruiser.
Reports initially stated that a suspect fired two to three shots at the officer Wednesday afternoon and that the officer returned three shots of his own. Due to losing control of the vehicle during the shootout, the cruiser crashed and caught fire.
However, after investigating the scene, authorities found that the only bullets on the scene belonged to Johnson, the Associated Press reported.
"The evidence indicates that shots were not fired by a suspect and there is no gunman at large in or around the town," Dwyer said.
While authorities know the bullets belong to Johnson, it's still unclear if he also set the vehicle on fire.
Two threats were made to Millis schools before the reported shooting Wednesday, including a bomb threat. The schools were closed as a precaution. Dwyer said it remains unclear if the threats were related to the false shooting report, according to CBS Boston.
Police and prosecutors are working to determine what charges Johnson will face. The incident is still under investigation.
