Johnston shootings take popular baseball coach, mother of gunman
JOHNSTON — A 15-year-old girl suffered from a gunshot wound on the front lawn of her family's home in the town's Simmonsville section.
In the garage, her father, 44-year-old Thomas "TJ" May, had died after being shot in the head.
And in the house next door, 83-year-old Janet Harrison had died of the same injury.
Meanwhile, the suspected shooter, Harrison's son, James Harrison, was at large, armed, dangerous and on a path that would lead to his own death later Wednesday morning in a confrontation with Cranston and Providence police.
These were the circumstances that Johnston police say they grappled with at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday as 911 callers told dispatchers about gunshots and Johnston police officer Scott Hopkins arrived at the shooting scene on Ligian Court.
New disclosures from Johnston police on Thursday provided greater detail on the triple shooting in the neighborhood, including a more comprehensive account of an initial disturbance that had drawn police to the May family's home around midnight Tuesday.
Meanwhile, as families and friends continued to grieve, the latest news, including the names of the shooting victims, took its toll on the wider community.
A teenage victim shows fortitude
Thomas May's 15-year-old daughter, whom police did not name, was exhibiting "incredible courage and resiliency," according to Johnston police Chief Mark Vieira , who said she was treated at Hasbro Children's Hospital.
While her injuries were not life-threatening, they had been serious, he said.
"We pray for her speedy recovery," he said.
Her father, known widely as TJ May, was a coach for the Johnston Little League, which described him as "a son, husband, father, friend, mentor, coach and most of all, a great human being" in an online post.
"There are no words that will help ease this pain that we are experiencing at this time," says the post.
Gary Salzillo, owner of Northeast Baseball Training, said he had only interacted with May a few times. But May, who was expected to coach the league's all-star team for 9- and 10-year-old players, had left an impression, said Salzillo. May was dedicated.
"A great person," Salzillo said.
A midnight disturbance
May and his wife, Daina, a Cranston schoolteacher, purchased the family's two-bedroom ranch house on Ligian Court in 2009, a few years after they married.
Janet Harrison was the longtime owner of the three-bedroom home next door.
On Tuesday night, her son, James, was the focus of a disturbance that drew Johnston police to the May's home at 11:58 p.m., Vieira said.
May told police that banging had been heard on the exterior of the house near his daughter's bedroom window, said Vieira.
May told police he had raised the window blinds to see Harrison outside with a ladder.
Harrison then ran back to his home next door, May told them.
At the time, police did not see any signs of forced entry on the bedroom window and they were unable to find a ladder, Vieira said.
May requested a no-trespassing order against Harrison. However, police weren't able to find Harrison next door or contact him on the phone, said Vieira.
Hours later, just before 7:30 a.m., Officer Hopkins headed for Ligian Court to follow up.
As he rolled in, he saw Harrison driving away in a dark blue Buick Encore, Vieira said.
Harrison made a hand gesture consistent with the shooting of a gun, Vieira said.
Simultaneously, dispatchers were receiving calls about shots fired in the neighborhood off Simmonsville Avenue.
Hopkins' first intention, said Vieira, was to turn around and pursue Harrison, but the officer then saw May's wounded daughter on the front lawn.
As officers dealt with the scene on Ligian Court, Johnston issued a bulletin on Harrison that included his photo.
Suspect's death near the Route 295 overpass
Later in the morning, an off-duty Cranston police dispatcher was in St. Ann Cemetery when he spotted Harrison, according to Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist.
When Cranston police cruisers arrived, he said, Harrison drove aggressively at them, almost hitting them.
At about 9:30 a.m., a pursuit of Harrison streamed through parts of Cranston, Johnston and Providence. At one point, Harrison struck a Cranston cruiser.
Just west of where Interstate 295 crosses over Putnam Pike, Harrison lost control of the subcompact SUV and hit a rock just off the local road.
Cranston and Providence police ordered him out of the vehicle.
Winquist said police opened fire when Harrison pointed a gun at them.
The shooting, which was captured on video, remains the focus of an investigation.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Police identify victims in Johnston murder as Thomas May, his neighbor
