A yet-to-be-identified, 39-year-old Rehoboth man was shot outside of the Bristol Police Headquarters on Metacom Avenue in Bristol last night following an incident that reportedly began at Colt State Park, according to reports provided to news media by Chief Kevin Lynch.

Lynch, who spoke to television reporters following the incident, said that the event began when two college students were walking through Colt State Park when they were approached by a naked man, who made "hand gestures" that made them uncomfortable and resulted in them fleeing to the parking lot of the Bristol police station.

The suspect, who apparently followed them in a vehicle of his own, began ramming their car in the parking lot, causing them to shout for help, which eventually resulted in the on-duty desk Sergeant to respond to the parking lot.

The sergeant, who has not been identified, ultimately fired two shots into the suspect's front windshield when he continued to ram the car. He was taken to the hospital, reportedly alive and alert.

The Bristol Police Department put out the following statement on Facebook following the incident.

"The Bristol Police Department experienced an officer involved shooting at Bristol Police Department Headquarters (395 Metacom Ave.) on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at approximately 9 p.m. A violent incident unfolded in the South parking lot of the police station and the on-duty desk Sergeant acted with distinction in a life-saving measure to safeguard two younger female victims and himself. Remarkably, the Sergeant, responding officers and victims were not seriously injured. The department is investigating the incident in accordance with Rhode Island Attorney General protocols along with Rhode Island State Police and Attorney General's investigative staff. The suspect received immediate medical treatment and remains in custody and there is no longer a threat to the community."