Suspect In Boat Theft Fatally Shot By Newport Police

A man suspected of stealing a sailboat in New Jersey over the weekend was shot and killed near the Newport waterfront Wednesday morning, police said.

The suspect was identified as Brendan Norris, 27, of Clinton Avenue in Newport, R.I.

Officials in New Jersey had said Norris was suspected of stealing a 40-foot sailboat from Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City on Saturday night around 11 p.m. They released photos of a suspect taken from surveillance video.

On Tuesday, a "private party" asked the Newport, R.I., Harbormaster’s Office to be on the lookout for the stolen boat, said police in Newport in a statement.

Shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the Newport harbormaster saw a similar boat anchored nearby.

Newport police officers and members of the Harbormaster’s Office approached the vessel to investigate, Newport police said.

"As officers came alongside the vessel, they encountered a male who was on the bow. The man fled below deck despite commands from officers," said Newport police in a statement sent to Patch.

Police said Norris armed himself with a firearm. He was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police.

One Newport police officer was treated at Newport Hospital and was released late Wednesday to recover at home, police said.

Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy said the Rhode Island State Police, the Newport Police Department, and the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office will continue investigating.

"In accordance with standard protocol, all officers who discharged their firearms during the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation," police said.

The New Jersey State Police had posted photos of the theft on social media on Monday, but since removed them.