Officer accused of inventing story about shootout with man who shot at cruiser faces charges

A police officer watches as a cruiser that was shot at is removed from Forest Road, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 in Millis, Mass. Police are looking for a gunman who fired at a police cruiser in a town southwest of Boston, and schools are being closed as a precaution. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

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A police officer assists as a cruiser that was shot at is removed from Forest Road, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 in Millis, Mass. Police are looking for a gunman who fired at a police cruiser in a town southwest of Boston, and schools are being closed as a precaution. (John Blanding/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Authorities have identified a part-time Massachusetts police officer accused of concocting a story about a shootout with a gunman before his cruiser crashed and caught on fire, and they say he will be charged.

Millis police Sgt. William Dwyer on Friday identified the officer as Bryan Johnson. Dwyer says he will be charged with misleading a criminal investigation, communicating false information to emergency services, malicious destruction of property and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

A message left at a listing for a Bryan Johnson in Millis wasn't immediately returned.

Johnson had said a man in a pickup truck fired at his cruiser Wednesday afternoon. The report prompted a major police search and a shelter-in-place order for residents. Schools also closed.

Johnson is on paid administrative leave and will be fired.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/officer-accused-of-inventing-story-about-shootout-with-man-who-shot-at-cruiser-faces-charges