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Dep. Police Chief: Warwick Officers Showed ‘Tremendous Restraint’ in Gunfight

Warwick Police Headquarters at 99 Veterans Memorial Drive.
Warwick Police Headquarters.
Warwick Police Headquarters.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect new information on Cunningham’s attempted murder conviction provided by Warwick Police.

Warwick, RI – The three officers involved in a gunfight with a man convicted of attempted murder wanted for violating parole in California after a chase through Warwick remained calm and professional Monday afternoon, said Deputy Police Chief Michael Babula, holding fire as he pointed a gun at them.

The officers, Sgt. Timothy Marshall, Det. David Morrow and Officer Darin Parillo, caught up with the fugitive, Kenneth Cunningham, near Arnold’s Neck Drive, where he leveled his gun at them.

They held their fire.

“The officers showed tremendous restraint,” said Babula. The three ordered Cunningham to drop his weapon, remaining cool, calm, and professional, he said.

Then Cunningham opened fire, shooting at the officers several times. He missed.

The officers returned fire, also firing several times.

“He (Cunningham) was struck several times,” Babula said, in the torso and arm.

The officers then apprehended Cunningham. He faces several felony charges, including, for the moment, assault with a deadly weapon, as a fugitive from justice and using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. More charges will be leveled, Babula said

The RI State Police and the RI Attorney General’s office are both investigating the incident, which is routine whenever officers are involved in a shooting, Babula said. Specific information on how many times the officers and Cunningham shot at each other won’t be released until after the investigation is complete.

Babula said the officers fired responsibly, remaining cool and professional.

“I’m quite proud of them,” Babula said.

Related stories:

Man Injured in Shootout with WPD Wanted for Violating Parole on CA Attempted Murder Conviction
WPD Officers Shoot Wanted Man Firing at Them During Chase on Arnold’s Neck Drive 

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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