The man accused of shooting at officers during a SWAT standoff on Cape Cod appeared in court Thursday, and police say he's a violent criminal who they've dealt with before.
Justin Moreira, 30, is facing two dozen charges, including nine counts of attempted murder.
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Barnstable police said they received a call just before 8 a.m. Wednesday, saying Moreira was allegedly holding his mother at knifepoint at a home on St. Francis Circle. He allegedly demanded the keys to her gun safe and then barricaded himself inside of her home in Hyannis.
Several family members escaped out of a window, according to police.
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Moreira fired at a SWAT team vehicle during a standoff that lasted for almost eight hours and forced neighbors to evacuate, police said.
"I heard it from my room then they knocked on the door and told us to get out," said Isack Gomes, who lives nearby.
According to police, Moreira fired more than 30 rounds before they were able to get him to surrender using the ballistic vehicle.
In court, prosecutors said Moreira has a lengthy criminal history and was arrested and charged with threatening to shoot up an unnamed school in 2022. He was scheduled to have a court hearing for that case the day of the standoff but his mom told police he did not want to go and that's what made him get violent.
Moreira's attorney spoke briefly outside of court, calling this "a very serious case."
"These are serious allegations," Nate Carney said. "I'll be guided by what he tells me. I'll give him the very best defense and his family remains supportive of him."
He was held without bail after a judge found him to be dangerous. He's due back in court next month.
