Newly released police body-camera footage is revealing the dramatic moments of a deadly shootout aboard a stolen sailboat in Newport, Rhode Island, where a 27-year-old man was killed and a police officer was wounded.

The confrontation took place on August 26, 2026, after Newport police officers approached a 40-foot sailboat suspected of being stolen from New Jersey.

Police identified the man aboard the vessel as Brendan Norris, a 27-year-old Newport resident. Authorities said he fired at officers from inside the boat, triggering a gun battle that lasted only seconds.

Newport Police released the footage on October 30, providing a detailed account of the encounter and the moments leading up to the shooting.

How Police Found the Stolen Sailboat

According to Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy, the city’s harbormaster noticed a sailboat anchored in Newport Harbor that appeared to match the description of a vessel reported stolen from New Jersey.

The boat, identified as the Pathfinder, had reportedly been stolen from Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City.

The harbormaster noticed that the vessel’s name had been scraped off its stern, raising further suspicion.

Police officers were taken out to investigate. When they approached the sailboat, they saw a man on deck preparing to raise the anchor. The boat’s engine was also running.

The officers attempted to speak with the man and ordered him to remain on deck.

Suspect Runs Below Deck Despite Police Orders

The newly released body-camera footage shows officers approaching the vessel and ordering Norris to stay on deck.

Instead, he rushed below into the cabin.

According to Chief Duffy’s account, an officer observed Norris moving around inside the cabin and appearing to handle an object that looked like a firearm.

Officers continued issuing commands as the situation rapidly escalated.

The footage captures the tension as officers tried to assess what was happening inside the confined space of the sailboat.

Gunfire Erupts in a Matter of Seconds

Police said Norris fired the first shot from inside the cabin.

The gunfire struck an officer in the leg, while debris also hit the officer’s face.

Other officers immediately opened fire toward the cabin.

The encounter unfolded within seconds, with radio communications capturing officers shouting warnings, reporting injuries and checking whether anyone else had been hit.

According to ABC News’ report featuring the newly released body-camera footage, the video provides a rare look at the deadly confrontation aboard the stolen vessel.

Brendan Norris Found Dead Inside the Cabin

After the gunfire stopped, officers entered the cabin and found Norris unresponsive.

Police Chief Ryan Duffy said the 27-year-old had suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A firearm was reportedly found near him inside the cabin.

The wounded officer was transported to Newport Hospital for treatment. Police said the injury was caused by the gunfire and debris during the confrontation.

The officer was later released from the hospital.

What Happened to the Stolen Sailboat?

The vessel, a 40-foot Pathfinder sailboat, had reportedly been stolen from a marina in Jersey City, New Jersey, several days before the confrontation.

The boat was spotted in Newport Harbor after its name had been removed from the stern.

The discovery led the harbormaster to contact Newport police and request assistance investigating the vessel.

The case brought together authorities in Rhode Island and New Jersey as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported theft and the fatal encounter.

Police Release Bodycam Footage as Investigation Continues

Newport Police released a narrated video containing body-camera footage, radio communications and other material related to the shooting.

Chief Duffy said the department decided to make the video public following requests for information about the incident.

However, authorities emphasized that the release does not represent a final determination about whether the officers’ actions were justified.

Newport police and Rhode Island State Police are conducting a joint investigation under the state’s procedures for officer-involved shootings.

The officers who fired their weapons were placed on administrative leave, according to local reporting.

HERE Newport’s report provides further details about the investigation and the police department’s video release.

Questions Remain After the Deadly Confrontation

The release of the footage has renewed attention on the circumstances that led to the shooting.

Investigators will examine the actions of the officers, the firearm recovered from the boat and the sequence of events that resulted in Norris’s death.

The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not announced a final determination regarding the use of deadly force.

For now, the body-camera footage provides the public with a closer look at the dramatic encounter, while investigators continue working to establish the full facts.

Sources: ABC News, NBC Boston, Boston 25 News and HERE Newport.

This article reflects reporting available through October 31, 2026. The police shooting remains under investigation, and the release of footage is not a final legal determination about the officers’ actions.