The harbormaster spots a sailboat reported stolen out of New Jersey, with a man on board. Officers come alongside, he ducks into the cabin, and a shot comes from inside.
- Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, shortly after 9 a.m., north section of Newport Harbor, Newport, R.I.
- The harbormaster saw an anchored sailboat matching a roughly 40-foot boat reported stolen out of New Jersey. Its name had been scraped off the stern, and a man was on board.
- Newport Police say the man appeared to be pulling up the anchor with the engine running. When he saw officers coming, he moved quickly into the cabin despite commands to stop and show his hands.
- Officers came alongside and boarded. Newport Police say a gunshot was heard from inside the cabin; debris struck an officer in the face and he felt an impact to his right leg. Officers then fired.
- Officers entered the cabin and found the man unresponsive with a severe head injury and a firearm next to him. He was pronounced dead at the Elm Street Pier.
- The officer was taken to Newport Hospital; the city said he was released and is recovering at home.
- Newport Police and the Rhode Island State Police are investigating under the Attorney General’s officer-involved shooting protocol. The officers who fired were placed on administrative leave. Ongoing as of Nov. 1, 2026.
Body camera footage: released by the Newport Police Department.
Free — the opening chapterUnits Are SurroundedFive shootings in five months between members of the Soboba Indian Reservation and law enforcement in the Hemet area of Riverside County. My story about being in the middle of it. The full book is coming.Read how it starts
Units Are Surrounded
The new book from Ray Dietrich. Five shootings in five months in Riverside County. The full book is coming - read how it starts, free.
