A suspect, identified as 27-year-old Brendan Norris, was killed by police in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 26, 2026, after allegedly firing at officers who were investigating a stolen luxury boat.
According to police, Norris had stolen a 1968 Hinckley Bermuda 40 sailboat, named Pathfinder, from Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, New Jersey, on August 22. The boat's owner, Jim Bonomo, discovered the theft on August 23 after arriving at the dock with his wife. Bonomo reported that Norris had disabled the vessel's tracking system and scraped the boat's name off the stern.
Surveillance cameras at the marina had captured Norris lurking around the area prior to the theft. Bonomo stated he did not know Norris and was surprised by the violent turn of events.
On August 26, the stolen boat was spotted anchored at Newport Marina. When police approached the vessel, Norris, who was on deck, retreated below. Despite a warning from officers to remain on deck, Norris allegedly armed himself with a firearm and fired shots.
Officers then boarded the boat, and a 19-second exchange of gunfire ensued. Norris was fatally struck in the head, and one officer sustained injuries to his leg and face from shrapnel. The injured officer was hospitalized in stable condition.
Bodycam footage released by Chief Ryan Duffy showed the tense moments of the encounter. "Shots fired, shots fired. One hit," an officer can be heard saying over the radio. Upon checking on Norris, an officer discovered him deceased.
Norris had a history of alleged theft, and police identified him as the prime suspect in the boat's disappearance. The owner, Bonomo, expressed sorrow over the tragic outcome, stating, "I don't understand why something like that would happen from just stealing a boat."