Overview

• Nicholas Akerberg stormed the Woburn District Court on April 14, 2025, wearing tactical gear and a gas mask, assaulting court officers and others with pepper spray and physical force.
• The attack injured multiple individuals, including court officers, a prosecutor, and a police officer, all of whom were treated and released from the hospital.
• Akerberg was subdued by officers using a Taser and was found carrying eight pepper spray canisters and two smoke canisters during his arrest.
• He faces 18 charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, bomb threat, and disrupting a court proceeding, and has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.
• Officials have emphasized the broader implications of the attack on public trust in the judicial system, highlighting the need for improved security and mental health interventions.