Law enforcement used drones and robots in an unsuccessful attempt to defuse a tense standoff after a distraught terminally ill 69-year-old man allegedly fired a handgun at his wife and police.
Responding officers shut down Harding Avenue Tuesday night following gunfire linked to a domestic disturbance.
Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist issued a statement overnight, providing some details.
According to Winquist, both “a domestic violence victim and Cranston Police Officers were shot at prompting a multi-agency response.”
Around 8:05 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, Cranston Police Officers were dispatched to 18 Harding Ave. for a report of a domestic disturbance where a man had allegedly “produced a handgun and fired several shots at his wife inside the home after making homicidal and suicidal statements,” according to police.
Police identified the suspect as Neil Douglas, 69, who “was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had become increasingly ill.”
“The female was able to escape from the residence and call 911 from a neighbor’s phone,” according to police. “When Officers arrived on scene and were outside their vehicles establishing a perimeter, the suspect fired two shots at the officers from inside his residence.”
“Fortunately no officers were struck,” according to Winquist. The bullets struck a residence across the street, but no injuries were reported.
Police evacuated nearby homes.
The Cranston Police Special Reaction Team, Drone Team and Crisis Negotiation Team all responded to the scene, where they received mutual aid from Rhode Island State Police, Warwick Police, Providence Police, East Providence Police and the State Bomb Squad, according to Winquist.
“These 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,” according to police. “Crisis negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect for several hours to no avail.”
Police entered the residence shortly after midnight “and discovered the male deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Police said they found “several firearms” near the suspect’s body.
“I am grateful no officers or members of the public were injured or killed,” Winquist said. “This is a tragic incident could have resulted in a murder-suicide and serious injury or death of a police officer. 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.”
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