An incident on Route 128 in Beverly escalated from a heated discussion to a shooting, as reported by the Essex County District Attorney's Office. Thomas Drequan Perkins, a 26-year-old from Quincy, has been charged with attempting to murder another man following an argument that began in a rest stop parking lot, as reported by MassLive.
Perkins is facing a series of charges including two counts of attempted murder with a firearm, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Additionally, he is charged with carrying a firearm without a license, a second offense, discharging a firearm near a highway, and defacing property, according to the Boston Globe. After pleading not guilty during his arraignment in Salem District Court, Perkins was ordered to be held without bail, pending a dangerousness hearing set for December 18.
The confrontation occurred late Monday night at the Beverly Service Plaza, where Perkins and the unidentified man engaged in a "verbal altercation." Following the dispute, it is alleged that Perkins pursued the victim onto the highway and fired at the vehicle, which also contained another passenger.
Beverly and State Police swiftly responded to the scene after the alleged shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. While it remains unclear if anyone was injured in the shooting, the seriousness of the charges reflects the potential for harm. An attorney for Perkins did not immediately respond to a request for comment yesterday evening, leaving parts of the narrative yet to be completed by either defense or the prosecution.
Perkins has also been instructed by the court to avoid any contact with victims, or witnesses related to the case. The Beverly Service Plaza, a rest stop on Route 128 north, is known for its Shell gas station, a Burger King, and a Honey Dew Donut shop that cater to those journeying on the highway.
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