Stolen Luxury Yacht Pursuit Ends in Deadly Shootout as Suspect Opens Fire on Police

A suspected boat thief was fatally shot during a confrontation with police aboard a stolen luxury sailboat in Newport, Rhode Island. Newly released body-camera footage shows the tense moments when officers approached the vessel and gunfire erupted.

The incident took place on August 26, 2026, after Newport authorities were alerted to a 40-foot sailboat that had reportedly been stolen from Liberty Harbor Marina in Jersey City, New Jersey.

The vessel, a 1968 Hinckley Bermuda 40 named Pathfinder, belonged to Jim Bonomo. He discovered it missing on August 23 and contacted authorities. Investigators said the boat’s tracking device had been disabled and its name had been scraped from the stern.

A harbor official later spotted the vessel anchored near Newport and contacted police. Four officers approached the boat shortly after 9 a.m. to investigate.

Police identified the man aboard as 27-year-old Brendan Norris. According to authorities, he was on deck as officers arrived but ignored commands to remain there and went below deck.

Police said Norris then fired at least one shot, striking an officer in the leg. The officers returned fire during an exchange that lasted approximately 19 seconds.

Norris was found unresponsive inside the cabin and was pronounced dead at the scene. The injured officer was taken to hospital and later released. Authorities said he has since returned to work.

Newly released body-camera footage, shared by Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy, captures officers ordering Norris to stay on deck before the shooting begins. The video also records officers calling for assistance and checking on one another after the exchange.

The boat’s owner told reporters he had never met Norris and was shocked by the fatal outcome. He said he was grateful the vessel had been located but saddened by how the incident ended.

The police shooting remains subject to investigation. The available footage and official accounts provide details of the encounter, but do not establish why Norris allegedly opened fire.

Source: dailymail