Shots fired at Cranston police after domestic dispute; terminally ill suspect found dead

Cranston Herald Staff Reports

Police closed Harding Avenue on Tuesday evening after shots were fired in connection with a “domestic dispute.”

Police deployed drones and robots to defuse a tense situation after a distraught, terminally ill 69-year-old man allegedly fired a pistol at his wife and police, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Cranston Police Chief Colonel 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, requiring multi-agency intervention.”

On Tuesday, September 3rd, at approximately 8:05 p.m., Cranston police officers were called to 18 Harding Avenue for a report of a domestic altercation. According to police, a man “pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at his wife inside the home after expressing homicidal and suicidal thoughts.”

Police identified the suspect as 69-year-old Neil Douglas, who had been “diagnosed with terminal cancer and was in progressively worsening condition.”

“The woman was able to escape the house and call 911 from a neighbor's phone,” police said. “When officers arrived at the scene and placed a cordon outside their vehicles, the suspect fired two shots at officers from his home.”

“Fortunately, none of the officers were hit,” Winquist said. Bullets struck a residence across the street, but no injuries were reported.

The police evacuated surrounding houses.

The Cranston Police Department's Special Response Team, Drone Team and Crisis Negotiation Team arrived at the scene and received mutual assistance from the 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,” police said. “Crisis negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect for several hours to no avail.”

Shortly after midnight, police entered the home and “found the man dead from an apparent gunshot wound.” Police said they found “multiple firearms” near the suspect's body.

“I am grateful that no officers or citizens were injured or killed,” said Winquist. “This tragic incident could have resulted in a murder-suicide and serious injury or death to an officer. Our thoughts are with all the families affected. These events serve as a stark reminder of the dangers officers face every day as they respond to calls to protect their fellow citizens. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to all of our partner agencies who provided us with tremendous support during this incident.”