After interviewing the officer and reviewing evidence, police concluded Johnson fabricated the shooting story.

Johnson was charged in Wrentham District Court with misleading a criminal investigation, communicating false information, unlawful discharge of a firearm and malicious destruction of property.

Police identified the officer as 24-year-old Bryan Johnson, who has been fired from the department.

Dwyer said other than shots fired by the officer into his own cruiser, no ballistic evidence was recovered at the scene.

Johnson’s report sparked a manhunt, with police, state troopers, K-9 units and a police helicopter scouring the area in search of a suspect which Millis police now say never existed. Johnson said his SUV caught on fire, and he climbed out of the vehicle and shot back at the gunman. “The [ballistic] evidence indicates the shots were not fired by a suspect and there is no gunman at large in or around the town”.

Dwyer did not comment on, or speculate, as to what the officer’s motives could have been.

The 27-year-old cop in question was a dispatcher, working as a part-time cop while training to be a police full-time officer.

Dwyer said the officer will be prosecuted.

Police also say there was two threats called into the Millis Middle School Wednesday, including a bomb threat.

Johnson, whose name was made public earlier this week, will now face charges for his story. Faculties have been closed Thursday as a precaution. Millis Police always have a greater presence during the first few days of school and we appreciate the great work they do, along with the Millis Fire Department, to help our students feel safe. Police don’t know if that threat and the cruiser incident are related.