JOHNSTON — A Providence man faces multiple charges after allegedly striking a Johnston police officer with his vehicle, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon during an incident at a gas station.
On April 26 at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers from the Johnston Police Department responded to a report of a possible disturbance at the Shell gas station located at 1396 Hartford Avenue.
The call, made by a third party, reported a potential argument between a male and female in the parking lot.
Upon arrival, officers located the involved female and the male as described by the caller.
The male was seated alone in the driver’s seat of a white Nissan Sentra, positioned in the parking lot facing out toward Hartford Avenue.
As one of the responding officers exited his patrol vehicle, the driver of the Sentra accelerated forward, striking the officer.
At that time, the officer discharged his service weapon, firing multiple rounds at the driver.
The Sentra continued across Hartford Avenue in a northerly direction before coming to rest after colliding with a pylon in front of a business located at 1369 Hartford Avenue.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid to the male driver, who was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he remained in police custody.
He is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the abdomen and is reported to be in stable condition.
The involved officer sustained minor injuries during the incident.
He was transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment and was subsequently discharged.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the Johnston police officer was identified as Damian Peterson, 28, of 502 Hartford Ave., Providence.
At the time of the incident, Peterson was wanted on an active Rhode Island State Police arrest warrant for Obstructing an Officer and Reckless Driving.
On April 27 at approximately 6 p.m., Peterson was arraigned during a special arraignment proceeding held at Rhode Island Hospital on charges including Felony Assault, Assault of a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, Obstructing a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct.
Peterson is currently being held without bail as a probation and bail violator.
The Johnston Police Department is investigating the officer-involved shooting in accordance with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s protocol, which requires a review and joint investigation by members of the Attorney General’s Office, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Johnston Police Department.
