Lawyer For Teen Shot By Pawtucket Cop Exploring Legal Remedies

WEST GREENWICH, RI — A lawyer for three West Greenwich teens who were accosted by an off-duty Pawtucket police officer said the boys’ rights under the law were “significantly abridged” and that he is exploring all legal remedies on behalf of the families.

Attorney James Howe is representing the interests of 18-year-old Dominic Vincent, who on June 23 was shot in the arm by Officer Daniel Dolan Jr., and of brothers Vincent and Joseph Greco, ages 18 and 17.

Howe said the three boys had no idea what was going on, and had no idea who Dolan was when the off-duty officer, wearing plain clothes and driving a white truck, cornered Vincent’s car in the parking lot of Wicked Good Pizza in West Greenwich. As Vincent attempted to drive away, Dolan, who exited his truck, drew his gun and shot the teen through the driver’s side window, Howe said.

Howe held a news conference Monday while flanked by Vincent, the Greco brothers, and their families. Vincent was wearing a cast. Howe said the boy's humerus was shattered as a result of the shooting. WPRI shot video of the full press conference, which can be viewed here.

Howe said the three were best friends, had ordered a pizza after leaving a Coventry WalMart, and had pulled in to pick it up when they were confronted by Dolan. West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay previously said that an interaction between the two vehicles might have occurred on I-95, but Howe vigorously denied that any previous interaction took place.

Howe said the boys were “terrorized” by Dolan, and did nothing wrong. He said after the shooting, Dolan did not provide first aid to Vincent, who sat bleeding on a guardrail. Howe said when police showed up, the Greco brothers were placed in separate Rhode Island State Police cruisers. The lawyer said when the boys’ father showed up, he was “outraged” and took custody of his children. Vincent was transported by local EMTs to Rhode Island Hospital.

Reporters asked Howe a slew of questions. Was Dolan drug tested after the incident? Why was Dolan not taken into custody? Will the Pawtucket Police Department will be investigated by Rhode Island State Police? What information has been shared with Howe by investigators with the state police and the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General?

Howe said he has been in touch with investigators. He said there is evidence that previous incidents in Pawtucket where Dolan used “brutal and intimidating conduct” were reported to city officials and city police.

A spokesperson for Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and acting Public Safety Director Tina Goncalves issued a statement saying they are “committed to a transparent process” and asking the public to let the investigation take its course. “the City of Pawtucket is sensitive to all incidents of alleged misconduct, especially those involving Public Safety employees,” the statement read.

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“The Attorney General and State Police have statewide policies and protocols in place that municipalities must follow in these circumstances,” the statement continued. “We are confident that these entities will thoroughly and objectively investigate all factors to determine the proper course of action to address Patrol Officer Dolan’s conduct.”

The Attorney General's office issued its own statement:

"The investigation by this Office, the Rhode Island State Police, and the West Greenwich Police Department into the June 23rd incident involving off-duty Pawtucket Police Officer Daniel Dolan continues to move forward. As in all such investigations, it is critical that before making any conclusions public, the investigation is effectively complete.

“The Investigative Team is making substantial progress. As soon as we are in a position to share additional information with the public, we will do so. This Office is in communication with the attorney representing the three additional individuals involved in the incident. The Investigative Team has been in contact with his clients in connection with the investigation.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call R.I. State Police at (401) 444-1000.