A road rage incident at the Hingham Public Library parking lot on Wednesday evening escalated to gunfire after a dispute over alleged littering, authorities said. Steven A. License, 60, a local resident, reportedly fired two shots during the confrontation, injuring himself in the process before seeking medical treatment.

Hingham police responded to the scene around 5:25 p.m. following a call from License, who admitted to firing his firearm twice. Officers found License seated as a passenger in a Honda Civic and confiscated a .357-caliber revolver. The driver, identified as Mary License, Steven License’s wife, appeared visibly distressed during initial questioning.

According to police reports, the altercation began when Mary License accidentally dropped a tissue from her vehicle window while driving on Route 53. A male driver in a pickup truck reportedly began tailgating her until she pulled into the library’s parking lot. Both drivers exited their vehicles, with the man verbally confronting Mary License. Steven License then reportedly warned the man multiple times to stay back before firing two shots from inside the car.

Mary License told officers she was not injured, and Steven License later said he aimed his shots toward a grassy hill. He described the other man as aggressive and unarmed but admitted there was some physical contact between the man and his wife during the altercation. License denied hitting the man, speculating that the other driver left the scene unharmed.

Police later reviewed video evidence that appeared to contradict parts of License’s statement, though specific details were not disclosed. License was taken to South Shore Hospital after presenting with stress-related symptoms and a cut on his left hand. He was noted to have poor health, relying on a prosthetic leg and a leg brace.

Legal filings revealed that License had his license to carry firearms suspended in 2022 and had approximately 50 guns removed from his home at that time, though the reasons for the suspension were not made public. On Friday, License pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including assault to murder, attempted assault and battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm near a building, and disorderly conduct.

A judge ordered License held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Wednesday. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.