BURRILLVILLE – A man who pointed a rifle at a Burrillville police officer late Friday night was wounded by gunshots himself, and Rhode Island State Police are now investigating if the man shot himself, or if he was hit when an officer discharged his gun.
Kyle Gaudet, 40, of Glendale, received minor injuries, and was later charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, domestic disorderly conduct and failure to relinquish a telephone.
According to Burrillville Police Col. Stephen Lynch, officers were called to 55 Maple Leaf Drive at 11:10 p.m. Friday for a domestic disturbance and found family members standing near a shed on the property. The family told police that Gaudet was inside the structure with a firearm and refusing to come out.
As police tried to gain entry, Gaudet reportedly confronted Off. Ryan Turner and pointed a rifle at him. Turner fired two rounds from his gun, but according to reports, Gaudet continued talking, saying that he was not coming out and that they were going to have to kill him.
Police report hearing a popping noise soon after, and Gaudet fell to the floor of the shed. He had sustained a head wound from a bullet that grazed his ear, which Lynch said he believes came from Gaudet’s own gun, a .22 caliber pellet rifle that was then seized by officers.
Gaudet was transported to Rhode Island Hospital by the Oakland Mapleville Rescue where he is being treated for his wounds.
And state police are investigating the source of his injuries.
The Attorney General’s Office and the Rhode Island State Police responded to the scene pursuant to use of deadly force investigative protocol.
“I believe he shot himself,” said Lynch. “I believe our officer missed him. “The wound he has is consistent with a pellet gun wound. I’m going to let the state police do their investigation.”
Turner has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
