Scott Banville, facing a week in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds, was arraigned in his hospital bed and released on personal recognizance bail while facing charges.
TIVERTON – Scott Banville, facing a week in the hospital recovering from gunshot wounds, was arraigned in his hospital bed and released on personal recognizance bail while facing charges.
“We don’t feel it will be an issue to have him return to court to face charges,” Police Chief Patrick Jones said. “He has significant ties to the community and no real criminal history.
“Our main focus for Mr. Banville right now is to see him get well. We don’t want to interfere with that.”
Banville, 44, of 222 Pelletier Lane, faces the charge of assault with a deadly weapon and domestic disorderly conduct following an incident at his home Wednesday at 11:30 p.m.
Officers went to the home after a relative reported a domestic disturbance that involved a weapon, police report.
Four officers responded. They allege Banville opened the door to his home with a high-powered hunting rifle in his hands. Banville was ordered to drop the weapon, police report. Officers allege he raised the rifle toward the officers and was shot in the chest and arm by Lt. Scott Beaulieu.
Banville was reported in fair condition at Rhode Island Hospital Friday morning.
Beaulieu is on paid administrative leave while the State Police and the Attorney General’s office investigate the incident. That is standard procedure, Jones said. Jones said he is confident the shooting was justified.
It is the second shooting by police in the past two years. In 2016 police from Tiverton and Fall River shot and killed a man after he pulled a pistol and pointed it at them. That shooting was ruled justified by the state Attorney General.
“After the 2016 shooting we used an employee assistance program that we are using this time,” Jones said. “It was very successful in 2016, especially considering we have not had an officer involved shooting in town in decades.”
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Retired and active police officers who are trained as crisis counselors talk to the officers involved and discuss the benefits of therapy if the police department employees involved experience trouble dealing with the trauma of the event.
That offer of help is confidential and open ended, Jones said.
“If there is anything we need to provide, we will,” Jones said. “If there is a problem six months from now, the offer is still on the table.”
There is no date set for Banville’s arraignment, Jones said.
“That will depend on his medical progress,” he said.
The charge against him is a felony. It will be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution in Superior Court.
Email Kevin P. O’Connor at koconnor@heraldnews.com.