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Michael Ouellette

Age : 37

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 09/02/2021

Location : 135 Water Street

City : Warren

County : Bristol

State : Rhode Island

Agency : Bristol Police Department

Officer(s) :Scott McNally

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 09/02/2021, Michael Ouellette, 37, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an exchange of gunfire with Bristol Police Department personnel on Water Street in Warren. Ouellette was president of the Italo-American Club at 13 Kelly Street, where police alleged that he had shot and killed Warren Assistant Fire Chief Brian Remy, 66, and wounded Jason Furtado, 41, shortly before the police encounter.

After leaving the club, Ouellette returned to the area of his residence at 135 Water Street. Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch and Major Scott McNally were traveling to Warren to assist officers responding to the active-shooter call when they encountered Ouellette on Water Street.

Police reported that Ouellette fired at Lynch and McNally. McNally took cover and returned fire while directing nearby civilians to move away from the gunfire. Ouellette subsequently stopped firing and retreated through the gate beside his Water Street residence.

Police then heard another gunshot. Officers approaching the property found Ouellette dead in the alley just inside the gate. Because McNally had fired during the encounter, authorities initially did not know whether Ouellette had been killed by police gunfire or had shot himself.

The Rhode Island Office of State Medical Examiners subsequently determined that Ouellette died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators determined that McNally's gunfire did not kill him. Neighbor-recorded video also captured a man matching Ouellette's appearance shooting himself after entering the alley.

The Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, Rhode Island State Police, Warren Police Department and Bristol Police Department investigated the shootings and Ouellette's death. His death is classified as suicide under police duress because he fatally shot himself immediately after exchanging gunfire with police while officers were actively attempting to apprehend him.

OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Bristol Police Major Scott McNally was identified as the officer who returned fire at Ouellette. Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch was also present during the encounter but was not reported to have fired. The subsequent investigation established that McNally's gunfire did not cause Ouellette's death.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/02/metro/police-involved-shooting-warren-ri-leaves-two-dead/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/10/metro/warren-man-who-killed-fire-chief-died-suicide-court-documents-show-what-happened-club/
https://patch.com/rhode-island/bristol-warren/bristol-police-id-officers-involved-warren-shooting
https://patch.com/rhode-island/bristol-warren/2-killed-warren-shooting-report
https://dbr.ri.gov/media/24921/download