Cranston Police Officers Shot at During Domestic Disturbance Call - Man Kills Himself

Cranston Police Officers Shot at During Domestic Disturbance Call - Man Kills Himself

Cranston Police announced that early Wednesday morning, Cranston Police Officers were shot at during a domestic disturbance call overnight, prompting a multi-agency response. 

 

About Incident

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According to police, shortly after 8 PM on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to 18 Harding Avenue for a report of a domestic disturbance where a male suspect produced a handgun and fired several shots at his wife inside the home after making homicidal and suicidal statements. 

The suspect, identified as Neil Douglas, age 69, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had become increasingly ill, say police.

The female was able to escape from the residence and call 911 from a neighbor’s phone. 

 

Law Enforcement Response

Police say when officers arrived on the scene and outside their vehicles establishing a perimeter, the suspect fired two shots at the officers from inside his residence. 

No officers were struck and the rounds lodged into a residence across the street. 

Nearby homes were evacuated and the Cranston Police Special Reaction Team, Drone Team and Crisis  Negotiation Team responded; additional mutual aid was received from the State Police, Warwick Police,  Providence Police, East Providence Police and the State Bomb Squad. 

According to Cranston Police, those departments "provided additional technological resources and equipment including tactical vehicles, drone support and robots with the goal of resolving the situation peacefully, while protecting those in the neighborhood. Crisis negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect for several hours to no avail."

 

Man Found Deceased
 
Just after midnight, Officers made entry into the residence and discovered the male deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Several firearms were located near the suspect’s body. 

“I am grateful no officers or members of the public were injured or killed. This is a tragic incident could have resulted in a murder-suicide and serious injury or death of a police officer," said Cranston Police Chief Colonel Winquist. "Our thoughts go out to all of the families impacted. The events serve as a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face daily when answering calls to protect their fellow citizens. I also wish my sincere  gratitude to all our partner law enforcement agencies who provided tremendous support for the duration  of this event.”