A Quincy man is facing multiple charges after an argument in the parking lot of a rest stop on Route 128 north in Beverly turned into a highway shooting, Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said.
Thomas Drequan Perkins, 26, was arraigned Thursday in Salem District Court on two counts of attempted murder with a firearm, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), discharging a firearm near a highway and defacing property, prosecutors said in a statement.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was ordered held without bail, pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Dec. 18, the statement said.
An attorney for Perkins did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.
The alleged confrontation occurred late Monday night at the Beverly Service Plaza.
Prosecutors allege that Perkins and another man, who was not identified, got into a “verbal altercation” in the parking lot of the highway rest stop, the statement said.
The rest stop on the northbound side of the highway has a Shell gas station, a Burger King, and a Honey Dew Donut shop, along with other services for travelers.
After getting into an argument, Perkins allegedly “pursued the other party onto the highway and fired at the other party’s vehicle,” which also contained another person, according to the statement.
State Police and Beverly police responded to the incident. It was unclear if anyone was struck or injured.
Breanne Kovatch can be reached at breanne.kovatch@globe.com. Follow her @breannekovatch.