Bristol Police ID Officers Involved In Warren Shooting

BRISTOL, RI — The two Bristol police officers involved in a fatal shooting in Warren last week have been identified. The department praised the pair for their actions, saying they "undoubtedly" kept the shooter's attention away from nearby members of the public, who were able to get to safety unharmed.

Police Chief Kevin Lynch and Major Scott McNally were involved in the Sept. 2 shooting, which claimed the life of two people and injured a third. Following the initial shooting inside Warren's Italo-American club, the two officers were headed to the scene to assist when they spotted the shooter, 37-year-old Michael Ouellette on Water Street.

McNally, who was driving the cruiser, pulled over and both got out of the vehicle. Ouellette approached the officers, police said, shooting at them with "clear intent" of harming them. The major then took cover in front of Waterdog restaurant and returned fire while yelling to the public to run away. Lynch helped usher the public away from the area, as well, police said.

"Undoubtedly, the actions of Chief Lynch and Major McNally stopped Ouellette from advancing further and drawing Ouellette’s attention to remain focused on the officers allowed pedestrians in the area the opportunity to flee to safety," the department said in a statement.

Ouellette shot at another vehicle as it turned onto Water Street from Sisson Street, police said, though the driver was able to get to safety.

After Ouellette stopped shooting at McNally and Lynch, he went to the aide of 135 Water St., and they reported hearing "one final gunshot." He was found dead, just inside the front gate. The Rhode Island Office of State Medical Examiner ruled his death as a suicide.

Lynch said he "fully support[ed]" McNally's actions "not only by his selfless action to engage the suspect but to have the situational awareness to consciously order bystanders to flee to safety while he was under gunfire."

The shooting is still under investigation by the Office of the Attorney General and Rhode Island State Police, as is protocol.

Read more: Police ID Victims, Suspect In Deadly Warren Shooting