Crime & Safety
Police release Body Cam Footage Of Officer-Involved Shooting Of Suspected Sailboat Thief
An officer was wounded in the shootout.
NEWPORT, RI — The Newport police released bodycam footage of the deadly officer-involved shooting of a suspected sailboat thief in August.
The bodycam footage, along with video from a home surveillance camera, was released as a "critical incident community debriefing" provided by Police Chief Ryan Duffy.
The matter remains under investigation by the Newport and Rhode Island State Police, Duffy said.
Find out what's happening in Newportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Newport resident Brendan Norris, 27, was killed in the shooting and an officer was wounded.
Officials in New Jersey said Norris was suspected of stealing the 40-foot sailboat Pathfinder from Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City four days prior.
Find out what's happening in Newportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Newport harbormaster spotted a sailboat matching the description of the Pathfinder but the vessel's name was scratched off its stern, Duffy said.
The harbormaster contacted police and he took officers out to the sailboat.
As the harbormaster's boat approached the sailing vessel, they observed an occupant weighing anchor with the engine running.
The occupant then rushed toward the cabin despite commands from officers to stop and show his hands, Duffy said.
An officer saw the man "rummaging inside the cabin and observes a metallic object that he believes resembled a gun barrel," Duffy said.
"A gunshot was heard from inside the cabin, debris struck the officer in the face and he felt an impact to his right leg," Duffy said.
"Officers then discharged their firearms toward the threat," he said.
"Officers subsequently entered cabin and located the occupant unresponsive with a severe head injury and a firearm next to him," the chief said. "Officers identified the suspect’s injury as significant and not compatible with life."
The officer was taken to Newport Hospital.
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