Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Cranston

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Police said an officer fired at a shoplifting suspect Sunday in Cranston after she was hit by their vehicle.

Cranston Police Major Todd Patalano said a policewoman was taken to the hospital after an officer-involved shooting on Reservoir Avenue near the Cranston/Providence line.

The Cranston Police Department said a shoplifting offense was reported by a store employee in the Garden City Shopping Center around 5:16 p.m.

Officials said an officer found a suspect vehicle around 5:21 p.m. matching the description provided to police.

The officer approached the vehicle stopped at a red light on Reservoir Avenue, opened the driver’s door and ordered the two occupants to exit, according to authorities.

Police said the male driver refused to comply and the female passenger told him to drive off, after which the vehicle made contact with the officer who fired a single round from her gun.

The driver fled onto Route 10 north and was last seen near Niantic Avenue, officials said.

The officer was taken to Kent County Hospital to be treated for her injuries and was released shortly after.

No other injuries were reported in the incident, and police said both suspects are still at large.

Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office are joining Providence and Cranston police in conducting a multi-agency investigation into the incident.