Newport Police Release Bodycam Video of Fatal Sailboat Theft Shootout

A suspected sailboat theft in Newport, Rhode Island, ended in a deadly exchange of gunfire between police officers and a 27-year-old suspect on August 26. The Newport Police Department released bodycam footage on Friday showing the confrontation, during which an officer was wounded and the suspect was killed.

According to police, officers responded to a report of a stolen sailboat in Newport Harbor. The suspect allegedly opened fire shortly after officers arrived, prompting them to return fire.

One officer repeatedly reported being shot in the leg during the confrontation, according to audio captured by his bodycam. The suspect was subsequently shot and pronounced dead at the scene.

Police identified the suspect as Brendan Norris, 27, confirming to Fox News Digital that he allegedly stole the vessel from Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, New Jersey, before traveling to Rhode Island.

The recovered vessel matched the description of a sailboat named "Pathfinder" that had been reported stolen from the New Jersey marina.

In August, social media posts from individuals claiming to be friends of the boat's owner sought public assistance in locating the missing vessel. One post described it as a "2 masted Yawl Hinckley Bermuda 40," providing details about its type and design.

The Newport Police Department said the decision to release the footage was intended to provide greater transparency about the officers' response to the incident.

"Our goal in releasing this video is to provide the public and the media with an accurate, factual, and transparent presentation of the incident, allowing viewers to better understand the circumstances and information surrounding our officers' actions."

The department is conducting a joint investigation into the shooting with assistance from Rhode Island State Police. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the actions taken by responding officers.