PAWTUCKET – Police have confirmed the discovery of a person who died of a self-inflicted wound in their home around noon on Monday.
Police were dispatched to 17 Rowe Ave. for a report of shots fired, and while they responded, they received additional information from Rhode Island State Constables at the home serving an eviction notice.
“Due to the severity of the situation and uncertainty regarding the occupants inside the apartment, officers established a perimeter around the residence,” said police.
The Pawtucket Police Special Response Team (SRT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), drone operators, Major Crime Detectives, and Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) Detectives were subsequently notified and responded to assist.
After several unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with the occupant, officers deployed a drone into the apartment. The drone confirmed that one person was inside and appeared to have sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Members of the Pawtucket Police SRT entered the apartment in an attempt to render aid, but the individual had already succumbed to their injuries.
Pawtucket Police Major Crime Detectives have assumed responsibility for the investigation, which remains ongoing.
“At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the community,” said police. “Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident.”
Our original breaking news story
PAWTUCKET – Officers who responded to an incident at a home on Rowe Avenue have confirmed that someone is dead.
Police were called for a person inside the home with a gun after constables reportedly tried to serve an eviction. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and a flash bang.
Medical responders who had brought a gurney to the home from a nearby ambulance returned to the ambulance with the gurney empty.
Shortly after, an officer confirmed to bystanders that the situation was under control and they had gotten their person. Another officer confirmed that someone was dead at the home, but it wasn’t immediately clear if they shot themselves, but the dispatch call discussed police providing staging for a possible suicide attempt.
Rowe Avenue is located off Armistice Boulevard, near Slater Park.
Constables who initially responded to the scene reported a gunshot, but weren’t sure whether it had been fired at them. Police used a drone during the incident, and the Pawtucket Police Special Response Team responded. After use of a loudspeaker and flash bang device, no one was ever seen coming out of the home.
Detectives are now investigating. Police and fire personnel were seen coming and going from the home.
This is a developing story. More information will be reported as it becomes available.
