Video captures moment R.I. police shot man who allegedly struck officer with a car

Boston Globe

01-05-2025

Officers found a man — later identified as Peterson — sitting alone in the driver's seat of a white Nissan Sentra, according to authorities.
As one of the officers excited his patrol vehicle, Peterson allegedly 'accelerated forward, striking the officer,' officials said. 'At that time, the officer discharged his service weapon, firing multiple rounds at the driver.'
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Footage from a gas station security camera and another officer's body camera that was obtained by the Globe on Wednesday shows how Peterson reversed his vehicle right before the incident and then sped toward the officer, identified in an arrest report as Officer Derrick Palazzo.
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Warning: This video depicts a shooting and may be disturbing for some viewers.
The videos show Palazzo drew his firearm and another officer tried to approach the vehicle's driver's side door as Peterson reversed the car.
Then, as Peterson sped forward, Palazzo attempted to move out of the vehicle's path, but was grazed by the sedan as he fired four shots, the videos show. Palazzo then lost his footing and fell on the ground, according to the videos.
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Peterson's vehicle continued moving across Hartford Avenue before coming to a stop across the street when it crashed into a pylon, the footage shows.
Officers then quickly crossed the street to get to Peterson, who can be heard screaming in the video as he lay on the ground.
'On the ground!' one officer yells at him, as he keeps his firearm drawn on Peterson.
'Cuff him!' the officer tells a colleague.
Police can then be seen scrambling to provide medical aid to Peterson after learning he was shot in the leg. One officer can be heard in the video directing another to 'get a tourniquet on him.'
Authorities have said Palazzo suffered minor injuries. On Monday, police said Peterson was in stable condition.
The incident will be investigated by members of the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, State Police, and the Johnston Police Department, as required by protocol, officials said.
Officials said at the time of the shooting, Peterson was wanted on a warrant from Rhode Island State Police on charges of obstructing an officer and reckless driving.
Peterson was arraigned at the Rhode Island Hospital on Sunday evening on charges of felony assault, assault of a police officer, obstructing a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and 'reckless driving and other offenses against public safety,' police said.
Peterson is being held without bail as a probation and bail violator, according to authorities.
Steph Machado of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at