N. Kingstown cop shot with own gun

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI (WPRI) - A North Kingstown police officer, shot with his own service revolver Sunday afternoon, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The officer, a veteran of more than seven years, was shot at least once in the shoulder.  It happened on 10 Wasp Road in North Kingstown.

The police officer was responding to the home of David Catalano, 29. Officers believed he was involved in a hit and run crash earlier in the day in nearby East Greenwich.

According to Police Chief Edward A. Charboneau, Catalano attacked the officer from behind, wrestled his service revolver away from him and shot the officer at point-blank range.

Neighbor Phillip Thomas said he saw the shooting from his window.

"I heard the bullet. First shot. Boom," said Thomas. "Whoever the guy was was standing over the officer, firing down at him."

Thomas said he heard three shots. However, Charboneau said it is still unclear how many times the officer was shot. His vest has been sent to the lab for testing.

After the shooting, Charboneau said Catalano took off in the police officer's cruiser. Other officers located Catalano a short distance later on Post Rd. in East Greenwich. They said the gun was found in the vehicle and officers were able to take him into custody without incident.

Police are not releasing the officer's identity as of Sunday evening. They are waiting until his family is notified.

Catalano is in custody at the North Kingstown Police Department and will be arraigned Monday.

North Kingstown police, East Greenwich police and Rhode Island State Police are all investigating the case.

Charboneau said it's a reminder that no call is ever routine.

"It's an average Sunday, a fairly nice day of weather, and you always have to be careful. You never know when an incident can go bad. It's a dangerous profession," the chief said.

This incident came just months after another police-involved shooting in North Kingstown. It was another quiet weekend in February when an officer and a suspect were shot while North Kingstown police were checking on a teen, who was reportedly threatening himself. The officer's injuries in that case were not serious. The teen, at the time, was in critical condition.