By USA Daily Now 
A Massachusetts man, identified as NICHOLAS AKERBERG, 28, of Yarmouth Port, was arrested after allegedly storming a courthouse in a Boston suburb while wearing tactical gear and deploying pepper spray on Monday. The incident, which left multiple individuals injured, occurred at the Woburn District Court, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
Security footage from the courthouse captured AKERBERG wearing a helmet, gas mask, tactical boots, and sunglasses as he approached the building. As a court officer opened the front door, AKERBERG sprayed pepper spray at the officer and forced his way inside. Once inside, he allegedly assaulted multiple individuals, including court officers, a police officer, and an assistant district attorney. The video shows several officers tackling AKERBERG to the ground after a brief struggle.
AKERBERG was found in possession of eight canisters of pepper spray and two smoke canisters at the time of the attack. He, along with the injured police officer and two court officers, were treated at a hospital and later released.
Middlesex District Attorney MARIAN RYAN condemned the attack, emphasizing that this was the third serious incident at the courthouse since March 10. “These are not just acts of violence, they are challenges to the rule of law and to peaceful, orderly dispute resolution,” RYAN stated. “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.”
AKERBERG faces multiple charges, including 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 ordered to be held without bail following a Monday arraignment and is scheduled to undergo a competency evaluation. His next court appearance is set for May 2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
**Sources:**
[Middlesex District Attorney’s Office](https://www.middlesexda.com)
[The Associated Press](https://apnews.com)