Johnston police identify suspect in weekend officer-involved shooting

JOHNSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Johnston Police Department has identified a suspect in an officer-involved shooting that took place on Saturday night.

Damian Peterson, 28, of Providence, is facing multiple charges after allegedly striking a Johnston officer during an incident Saturday.

The officer fired his weapon at Peterson, leaving him with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Peterson was charged with felony assault, assault of a police officer among other charges at a special arraignment at Rhode Island Hospital Sunday night.

According to police, the incident occurred when officers responded to a call of a disturbance at the Shell gas station on Hartford Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to the caller, a male and female were arguing in the gas station parking lot.

Arriving officers located the female and the male, who was in alone in a Nissan Sentra in the driver’s seat.

When one of the officers exited his cruiser, the driver allegedly drove forward and struck the officer.

The officer fired his service weapon at the driver several times.

The Sentra continued forward before colliding with a pylon a short distance away.

Peterson is reported to be in stable condition from the gunshot wound he sustained.

The officer who was struck with the car sustained minor injuries and was treated and discharged from an area hospital.

The officer-involved shooting is under investigation in accordance with Rhode Island Attorney General’s protocol, and the investigation into the incident itself is ongoing.