Portsmouth man killed in officer-involved shooting in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said that a Portsmouth man was killed in Wednesday night’s officer-involved shooting in Woonsocket.

During a press conference Thursday, Col. James Manni said that a woman came to the Lincoln Barracks at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, claiming that Russell Dufault assaulted her in the driveway of her Little Compton home.

She said Dufault then demanded $80,000. That assault happened at 10:30 a.m., police said.

Dufault, 58, forcibly removed her from the car and pointed a gun at her. After 30 minutes, he let her go, Manni said.

A warrant was issued for the 58-year-old for felony assault and kidnapping. The investigation was turned over to the State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force, that’s co-managed by U.S. marshals.

Later that day, the task force was able to track down Dufault on North Main Street in Woonsocket. He was driving the same car from the earlier incident, said Manni.

Task force members approached the car, identified themselves, and told the suspect to get out of the vehicle.

Manni said Dufault tried to drive off and hit one U.S. marshal in the process and pinned another officer between two cars. Both officers shot and killed Dufault.

Both detectives, Gregory DeMarco and Theodore Gibbons, were placed on administrative leave.