Michael Pinto, Death – A man was shot and killed in Providence on Friday night by police after a chaotic car chase across the state. On Saturday afternoon, police identified the deceased driver as Michael Pinto, age 40, of Chepachet.
About Incident
According to police, the chase began in Burrillville shortly before 8 PM on Friday. The driver of a vehicle — later identified as Pinto — was reportedly operating erratically and Burrillville police attempted to stop him.
According to Burrillville Police, Pinto was wanted on an outstanding felony arrest warrant stemming from a multi-state pursuit that had occurred the prior day. Burrillville police ultimately stopped Pinto, who according to the police then drove his vehicle into the apprehending officers, who fired two rounds into his vehicle.
Pinto then drove onto Interstate Highway 295 and eventually got off at the exit for Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. A Providence Police officer was injured trying to stop the vehicle, at which time the driver sped off again.
Pinto then turned onto Gay Street by the hospital and began driving on the sidewalk, according to police. A nurse was reportedly struck and sustained injuries.
Police say at that time it was determined the driver was an “immediate threat to the public,” and police opened fire at the vehicle.
Pinto later died from his injuries.
His juvenile daughter sustained a gunshot wound to her leg, according to police. The Office of the Attorney General is now reviewing use of force protocol with the police departments involved.