WATCH: City releases 2 new videos of Providence moped crash

Providence police release videos of Sunday's moped crash, but nothing definitive has emerged

INSIDE

◘ 20 are arraigned on charges after Tuesday night's protest grows violent.  A5

.◘ What we know, and don't know, about Sunday's crash. A7

PROVIDENCE — Authorities on Wednesday released two videos in the crash involving a Providence police cruiser that critically injured a moped rider Sunday, offering more views but no definitive answers about an incident that has sparked volatile protests. 

The videos do not show contact between the cruiser and Jhamal Gonsalves’ moped at Elmwood Avenue and Bissell Street. But investigators say they still hadn’t determined whether there had been any contact, as the victim’s family and some witnesses have asserted. 

Gonsalves, 24, was in a coma following the crash. Hundreds of people, many chanting “Justice for Jhamal,” marched Tuesday night from Elmwood Avenue to the Providence Public Safety Complex, the same building where state and city authorities briefed reporters on the investigation Wednesday morning.

“The focus continues to be how Jhamal was injured as a result of the crash,” Steven M. Paré, the city’s public safety commissioner, told reporters. 

An accident reconstruction team would give investigators evidence that would let them make that determination, Paré said. They’re still asking witnesses to come forward. 

One of the videos released Wednesday was taken by a bystander from a nearby home. The other was from security footage. Both showed a number of people on motorcycles and ATVs being followed by police cruisers. 

The security footage offered an angle at a distance from the crash site from down Bissell Street, but key portions were obscured by leaves. The cruiser hit, severed and knocked down a stop sign, but the video did not prove or disprove there was any point of contact with Gonsalves or his moped. 

“If there’s any video out there with that information, we’re seeking that and we’d ask that you bring that forward,” Paré said. 

The state attorney general’s office and state police are assisting Providence with the investigation as part of the protocol in reviewing use-of-force incidents. The U.S. Department of Justice has also been consulted, city officials say. 

Mayor Jorge Elorza on Wednesday asked people to reserve judgment and pledged transparency as the investigation continues.  

“Let’s focus on a thorough, complete, transparent investigation,” Elorza said. “That’s what we’re absolutely committed to. We’re going to allow the facts to lead us wherever they may.” 

Patrolman Kyle Endres, who was driving the cruiser that followed Gonsalves, is on desk duty; he’s a six-year veteran of the force. 

Body-camera footage would also be released shortly, city officials said, although it might not show very much. Police wear their body cameras on their chests, so any view of the crash itself might not show out of the windshield. And Providence police cruisers don’t have cameras on their dashboards. 

Police actions after the crash are also coming under scrutiny. Gonsalves’ family has objected to police dragging him away from his moped as he lay motionless following the crash. His father, Mark Gonsalves Sr., addressed protesters with a megaphone Tuesday night on Dean Street, saying they’d get justice for Jhamal but urged them not to resort to violence. 

The night ended with 20 arrests, several injuries and more recriminations in an already tumultuous year for police-community relations. 

Col. Hugh T. Clements Jr., chief of the Providence police, said police moved to clear protesters after they threw objects — including bottles, rocks and fireworks — at police. 

Five officers were hit and one was transported to the hospital with a concussion-like injury, Clements said. A police dog was also hit with an object, police said previously. 

Police surged out and pursued the crowd down city streets, all the way to Broad Street, before turning back. The protesters followed them back, leading to more mayhem, fireworks, broken bottles and arrests. 

In all, city police arrested 19 people and state police arrested one. The arrestees included one juvenile. Three arrestees reported medical issues, Clements said. One had a panic attack, one had a contusion, and one had a seizure and was in the hospital Wednesday, he said. The circumstances of the seizure weren’t clear Wednesday. 

Police again faced accusations on Wednesday that they’d acted aggressively and hurt people, but Clements, Paré and Elorza all praised the response of the Police Department.

“Exceptional professionalism last night, all the way around, by those who wear the badge,” Clements said.