Providence man in ‘stable’ condition after being shot by Johnston police officer he allegedly struck with a car

PROVIDENCE – A man who was shot by police in Johnston, R.I., Saturday night as he allegedly drove at and struck an officer with a car, was in stable condition on Monday, authorities said.

Damian Peterson, 28, of Providence, is receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the abdomen at Rhode Island Hospital, police said in a statement.

Officials have previously said Peterson is expected to survive.

According to authorities, police responded to a report of a possible disturbance at a Shell gas station at 1396 Hartford Ave. in Johnston at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

A third-party caller reported a “potential argument” between a man and a woman in the parking lot, police said.

At the scene, officers found both of them, with the man “seated alone in the driver’s seat of a white Nissan Sentra, positioned in the parking lot facing out toward Hartford Avenue,” police said.

“As one of the responding officers exited his patrol vehicle, the driver of the Sentra accelerated forward, striking the officer,” police said. “At that time, the officer discharged his service weapon, firing multiple rounds at the driver.”

The Sentra continued north across Hartford Avenue before it hit a pylon and came to a stop, police said. Officers provided medical aid to the driver, who was later identified as Peterson and brought to the hospital.

“The involved officer sustained minor injuries during the incident,” police said. “He was transported to the hospital for evaluation and treatment and was subsequently discharged.”

According to police, at the time of Saturday’s shooting, Peterson was wanted on a warrant from Rhode Island State Police on charges of obstructing an officer and reckless driving.

Peterson was arraigned at the hospital on Sunday evening on charges of felony assault, assault of a police officer, obstructing a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and “reckless driving and other offenses against public safety,” police said.

Peterson is being held without bail as a probation and bail violator, according to authorities.

The shooting will be investigated by members of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, State Police, and the Johnston Police Department, as required by protocol, officials said.