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WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island officials say it’s not a trend, but the number of police shootings in the state this year nearly equals the total of the last two years combined.
WPRI-TV reports there have been five shootings by Rhode Island police officers in 2014, compared with six shootings total in 2012 and 2013. The most recent incident on Aug. 18 involved three Warwick officers shooting and wounding a man who opened fire on them and was wanted in California.
State Attorney General Peter Kilmartin says each police shooting is unique. He says it’s difficult to pinpoint a trend, because this year’s shootings have involved two people wanted in other states and a domestic violence situation.
There were a total of three police shootings in the state from 2009 to 2011.
