CRANSTON, R.I. — A Cranston man who police say shot his wife and then officers was found dead in his home Tuesday night after an hours-long standoff.

At about 8:05 p.m., Cranston police were called to a home on Harding Avenue because a man was shooting his wife and expressing homicidal and suicidal thoughts. The suspect, identified as Neil Douglas, 69, was suffering from terminal cancer and his condition was deteriorating, according to police. Police said Douglas’ wife escaped the shooting and was able to call 911 from a neighbor’s phone.

Police said officers then arrived at the scene and set up a cordon to close off Harding Avenue. Officers also closed traffic on Park Avenue from Warwick Avenue to Broad Street and evacuated residents.

When officers arrived, Douglas fired twice at officers from his home, police said. The bullets missed officers and lodged in a house across the street.

Crisis negotiators tried for hours to contact Douglas, but were unsuccessful. After a SWAT team arrived, officers forced their way into the home shortly after midnight. Police said they found Douglas dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“I am thankful that no officers or citizens were injured or killed,” said Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist. “This is a tragic incident that could have resulted in a murder-suicide and serious injury or death to an officer. Our thoughts are with all the families involved.”

Officers from several local law enforcement agencies came to the aid of Cranston Police, including Providence Police, Warwick Police, East Providence Police, Rhode Island State Police and the State Bomb Disposal Squad.

“These incidents are a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face every day when called to protect their fellow citizens,” said Winquist. “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our partner agencies who provided us with tremendous support during the incident.”

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