PROVIDENCE, RI – A police chase that began in northern Rhode Island ended in a fatal shooting in Providence, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old man. Michael Pinto, a resident of Glocester, was shot by police officers near Women & Infants Hospital on Gay Street and later succumbed to his injuries at Rhode Island Hospital on Friday night.

Pinto was reportedly wanted on active felony arrest warrants in both Burrillville and Glocester. According to the police, he had evaded an attempted traffic stop on Thursday afternoon and allegedly attempted to run over a Burrillville officer during another attempted stop on Friday night.

During Friday’s incident, Pinto’s teenage daughter was in the vehicle and sustained a gunshot wound to her leg. Burrillville Police Chief Stephen Lynch stated that Pinto was spotted driving near the town line around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. A pursuit ensued through the town until it was called off on Route 146 South. However, the chase resumed when Pinto got stuck in traffic on the same route.

Sgt. Henry Yakey, one of the officers involved in the pursuit, was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Pinto was later spotted by Providence officers who attempted to stop him as he entered Dean Street from Route 10. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez stated that Pinto drove recklessly, mounting the sidewalk and fleeing from the officers.

The chase continued until Pinto was trapped in traffic at the intersection of Dudley and Eddy streets. According to Perez, Pinto hit an unmarked cruiser and drove onto the sidewalk in an attempt to escape. He was eventually cornered outside the emergency entrance of the hospital on Gay Street, where he allegedly reversed towards a nurse and Sgt. Matthew Rampone. This prompted Rampone and another officer, Sgt. Lopes, to open fire at Pinto’s vehicle.

Pinto was removed from the vehicle and taken to the hospital, where he later died. The nurse involved in the incident was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Pinto had a known criminal history, but specific details were not disclosed by Chief Lynch.

The incident is currently under investigation by both Rhode Island State Police and the R.I. Attorney General’s Office. All three officers who discharged their firearms are on administrative leave, in accordance with standard protocol. Attorney General Peter Neronha acknowledged the complexity of the case, noting that several separate incidents along the way require thorough review.