Providence Officers off the street after shooting Unarmed Black Man

Patrolman Omar Proctor shot twice at William Thomas, 32, because he believed the man was reaching for a gun, said Maj. Paul Fitzgerald. Proctor's first gunshot grazed a Warren police recruit who was driving on Broad Street, Fitzgerald said. The second struck Thomas in the chest, he said. Thomas allegedly had drugs on him -- but the police did not find a gun, Fitzgerald said. He was in stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital yesterday, according to the police. Proctor was trying to arrest Thomas on a Superior Court warrant for domestic violence. The two officers approached Thomas as he got into his car, Fitzgerald said. When Proctor swung the door open, Thomas allegedly reached for his waistband -- and the officer pulled him out of the car. "He feared the guy was going for a gun," Fitzgerald said. Thomas knocked him down and ran, Fitzgerald said. Proctor fired when Thomas turned toward him and reached for his waistband again. The bullet missed Thomas, who was 20 feet away, but it smashed through the windshield of a passing truck being driven by a Warren police recruit, Fitzgerald said. Randy Bryant, 37, of Warren, was grazed in the shoulder. Proctor and Newton chased Thomas, following him through Saratoga Street and onto Public Street, where the fleeing man ran into the driveway at 501 Public St., Fitzgerald said. Thomas turned around as Proctor drew his gun on him and ordered him to stop, Fitzgerald said. Thomas allegedly went for his waistband. Proctor believed Thomas was reaching for a gun, and he shot him in the chest, Fitzgerald said. [more]