Cranston Man Who Shot At Wife, Officers Found Dead After Stand-Off: Police

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man who police said shot at his wife and then at police officers was found dead inside his home after an hours-long stand-off on Tuesday night.

Around 8:05 p.m., Cranston police were called to a home on Harding Avenue for a report of a man shooting at his wife while making homicidal and suicidal statements. The suspect, identified as Neil Douglas, 69, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had become increasingly ill, according to police. Police said Douglas's wife escaped the shooting and was able to call 911 from a neighbor's phone.

Police said officers then arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter, blocking off Harding Avenue. Officers also closed traffic on Park Avenue from Warwick Avenue to Broad Street and evacuated neighbors.

When officers arrived, Douglas shot twice at officers from inside his home, police said. The bullets missed the officers and lodged into a home across the street.

Crisis negotiators spent hours trying to make contact with Douglas, but to no avail. After a SWAT team arrived, officers forced their way into the home just after midnight. Police said they then found Douglas dead with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"I am grateful no officers or members of the public were injured or killed," Cranston Police Chief Michael 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 the families impacted."

Officers from several local law enforcement agencies responded to help Cranston police, including, Providence police, Warwick police, East Providence police, Rhode Island State Police, and the state bomb squad.

"The events serve as a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face daily when answering calls to protect their fellow citizens," Winquist said. "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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