North Providence man injured in shooting by police officer

NORTH PROVIDENCE -- A police officer shot and injured a man who was brandishing a realistic-looking replica firearm Sunday night, police said.

The shooting of Richard Solitro, 32, appears justified, according to North Providence Deputy Police Chief Arthur Martins.

“The officer took the action that was necessary to eliminate the threat,” Martins said at a news conference at police headquarters.

Based on what they knew in the hours after the shooting, “the officer’s actions appear to be completely justified,” Martins added.

The officer, Mathieu Florio, 23, has been on the North Providence force since October, Martins said. He was a member of the Tiverton Police Department for 18 months before that. He is currently on administrative leave.

Police said they got a call at about 8:30 Sunday night about a man who said he might harm himself. The caller was a family member of Solitro, police said.

Florio got to the home where the call came from, 14 Manning St., and was speaking with the relative, but Solitro wasn’t there. A short time later, though, Solitro showed up and got out of his car brandishing the replica Beretta pistol, Martins said.

Florio, who did not know the object was a replica, told Solitro to drop the weapon, Martins said. The family member was also outside, according to Martins. Solitro refused to drop the replica firearm, instead pointing it at Florio, Martins said.

That was what made Florio decide to open fire, Martins said. Florio fired fewer than five rounds, Martins said, and Solitro was hit once or twice. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening, Martins said. Not much time passed between Solitro’s arrival and Florio opening fire, Martins said.

Mr. Solitro was arraigned at the hospital and charged with felony assault with a device similar in appearance to a firearm. Solitro's next court date is Feb. 11, 2019 for a pre-arraignment conference in Superior Court. Solitro is still in the hospital.

The incident does not appear to have been captured on video, Martins said. North Providence’s officers do not use body cameras.

It is believed to be the first police-involved shooting in North Providence in about 15 to 20 years, said Martins, who has been on the force for about a year.

On Monday morning, nobody answered the door at 14 Manning St., which is also listed as Solitro’s home address. Neighbors did not wish to speak on the record, but said the incident prompted a large response from police in the normally quiet neighborhood Sunday night.

The North Providence Fire Department took Solitro to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

The attorney general’s office and the state police are taking part in a joint investigation with North Providence, Martins said.

The replica firearm was “almost like a prop in a movie,” Martins said.

“I’ve been a law enforcement officer for over 30 years, and if that was pointed at me, I would be 100 percent certain it was a firearm,” Martins said.