Suspects remains at large after Rhode Island police officer injured during officer involved shooting

A multi-agency investigation is underway after a Cranston Officer discharged their firearm at a suspect who fled from an officer attempting to detain two shoplifting suspects.

According to police, on Sunday at approximately 5:15 p.m., a shoplifting offense was reported by a store employee in the Garden City Shopping Center. The license plate and suspect vehicle description were provided to Cranston Police Dispatch and broadcast to all Patrol Officers. At approximately 5:21 p.m., an Officer observed the vehicle stopped in traffic at a red light on Reservoir Avenue, just south of the on-ramp to Route 10 in the City of Providence. The Officer approached the suspect vehicle on foot, opened the driver’s door, and ordered the occupants to exit. The male operator refused the Officer’s commands, while the female passenger told the driver to flee. The vehicle made contact with the Officer who discharged a single round from a duty weapon. The driver fled onto Route 10 north and was last seen near Niantic Avenue.

The Officer was transported by rescue to Kent County Hospital and treated for injuries sustained in the incident. The Officer has since been released. 

As is protocol with all Officer-involved shootings, the incident is under investigation by a multi-agency investigative team comprised of members of the Cranston Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office. 

The suspects remain at large at this time, and the vehicle has not been recovered.