Police in Rhode Island have released footage of a deadly shootout between officers and a suspected boat thief in Newport.

Video released by the Newport Police Department shows police approaching the 40ft vessel, which had been reported stolen from New Jersey and had its name scraped off the stern, anchored in Newport Harbor.

Police said that the suspect moved towards the cabin despite commands from the officers to stop and show his hands, and a gunshot was heard from inside the cabin before debris struck an officer in the face and he felt an impact to his right leg.

Officers then discharged their firearms.

The suspect was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.