Man wearing gas mask in pepper spray attack at Mass. courthouse held without bail
Nicholas Akerberg, 28, of Yarmouth Port, faces nearly 20 criminal charges in connection with the reported incident at Woburn District Court, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office announced.
Akerberg had shown up at the courthouse around 10:30 a.m. on Monday wearing a gas mask, helmet, tactical boots and sunglasses, the office said. The court officer and other people were unable to stop him from getting into the lobby.
Once inside, Akerberg sprayed pepper spray at multiple court officers, a Stoneham police officer and an assistant district attorney, the office said.
He punched and shoved several people, the office said, and fought against at least three officers before they were able to stop him with a Taser. Four people, including two court officers, the police officer and Akerberg, were brought to the hospital and released Monday afternoon.
Eight canisters of pepper spray and two smoke cans were also later found in Akerberg's possession, the office said.
'I want to condemn today's attack on the Court, the Court staff and the Justice system in the strongest possible terms. Courts are sacred, hallowed places,' a statement from District Attorney Marian Ryan on the incident read.
'Today's assault was the third serious incident at a courthouse since March 10, 2025. These are not just acts of violence, they are challenges to the rule of law and to peaceful, orderly dispute resolution,' the statement read.
'The rule of law is not a fancy academic concept, it is the foundation of our democracy. Anyone who desecrates these sacred places will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Today is a critical reminder of the need to foster respect for our courts and our dedicated court staffs.'
Akerberg was charged with six counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, five counts of assault and battery on a public employee, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, assault, disrupting a court proceeding, disorderly conduct, bomb threat and intimidation.
He was arraigned on Monday and ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing, and his bail was also revoked on open cases before Woburn District Court. Akerberg was also ordered to undergo a competency evaluation.
Akerberg's next scheduled court date is May 2.
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