Rewrite this post
JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — Police continue to investigate a triple shooting in Johnston that left two people dead and one injured.
The suspect, 52-year-old James Harrison, later led police on a chase and was shot and killed by officers during a standoff on the Cranston-Johnston line, officials said.
One of the victims was identified Thursday as his mother, 83-year-old Janet Harrison, who lived with him at 4 Ligian Court.
The second victim lived next door and has been identified as 44-year-old Thomas May. His 15-year-old daughter was also shot and brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials have declined to say what led up to the shooting, but Target 12 confirmed through multiple sources that it was connected to a neighborhood dispute.
Sources said Harrison was seen peering into a neighbor’s window earlier in the week. Police were called Tuesday night to Harrison’s home, but he didn’t answer the door, Target 12 learned.
A neighbor reported hearing a loud bang at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday before seeing Harrison leave his home. A BOLO (be on the lookout) was put out for Harrison and an off-duty police dispatcher spotted his vehicle at St. Ann Cemetery and called it in.
Be the First to Know: Get the 12 News App to receive breaking news alerts on your phone or tablet »
When officers arrived, police say Harrison drove at them and a pursuit ensued. Harrison was swerving at several vehicles on Plainfield Pike, hit a Cranston police cruiser, and at one point was driving on the wrong side of the road before he jumped the center median, lost control and crashed into a large rock, according to police.
Harrison was then surrounded by police and eventually got out and pointed a firearm at the officers, who then opened fire, officials said.
Rhode Island State Police and the R.I. Attorney General’s Office will be involved in a multijurisdictional investigation into the police shooting.
. Keep all images. Remove “and links” at the beginning