Providence Police release new footage of moped crash

“I urge all of the people in the city to please withhold judgement on what happened and lets focus on a thorough, complete, transparent investigation"

October 21, 2020 1:40 pm

Dominique Turner, Brooke Taylor,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The Providence Police Department held a briefing Wednesday morning, where they released new footage showing the events that led up to the officer-involved moped crash on Sunday.

The investigation is underway as 24-year-old Jhamal Gonsalves remains in critical condition.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said that the department is preparing to release body camera footage, which could take up to two weeks. Elorza is promising a transparent investigation and says Rhode Islands State Police will be doing an independent review, and the Attorney General’s Office will also be involved.

“I urge all of the people in the city to please withhold judgement on what happened and lets focus on a thorough, complete, transparent investigation” said Elorza.

Commissioner of Public Safety Steve Paré shared two new pieces of footage showing what lead up to the crash. “It shows the officer right behind the scooter and you’ll see the police cruiser hit a stop sign. The stop sign is severed and taken down. We don’t have any video that shows the impact” said Paré.

Providence police said they are investigating further to see if the officer hit a stop sign which then hit Gonsalves, or whether the crash occurred while trying to avoid a second cruiser coming from the opposite direction. Police urge anyone with additional video of this incident to share it with the department.

This briefing was held following Tuesday night’s protest calling for Justice for Jhamal. The rally begin at 6 p.m. was peaceful until winding down around 8 p.m. Police say it turned aggressive when people on the streets began to throw fireworks, bottles, and bricks at officers.

“The men and women of the Providence Police Department did an awesome job… literally under fire. Under fire of fireworks, bottles, rocks” said Chief Colonel Hugh Clements. Clements says five officers were hit by objects, one was transported to the hospital for a concussion-type injury.

A total of 21 people were arrested, nine being from the city. The charges range from resisting arrest, destruction, and fireworks.

Mark Gonsalves, the victims father says he wants to see the officer criminally charged. Gonsalves says the violence and arrests take away from the true cause, stating “There’s going to be more parents crying for their kids… or more kids crying about their parents. That’s not helping anything.”

Police say the office involved will be on administrative duty until the investigation is complete.

Providence police and city officials say that they do plan on releasing body camera footage within the next few weeks.