On the evening of March 22, 2014, a gunfight between two rival groups erupted on Canton Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Eighteen-year-old Douglas Cooper, a Black/African American male, was struck and killed during an exchange of gunfire after three Providence Police narcotics officers arrived, identified themselves, and were fired upon. Officers returned fire and a bullet from police hit Cooper. A firearm was reported found next to his body and was said to have been discharged at both the rival group and the officers.

A grand jury later reviewed the shooting and concluded the officers’ actions were lawful and legally justified. No arrests were announced for Cooper’s death, though the investigation into the broader gang-related violence continued. Authorities did arrest Jayquan Garlington on firearms charges; the driver he was with, Tevin Briggs, later pleaded guilty to an unrelated murder.

If anyone witnessed the March 22, 2014 shootout on Canton Street or has information about the rival groups involved, please come forward with what was seen or heard.