Woonsocket Radio News Room

Glocester man sentenced to 12 years in state prison for role in 2021 gun death

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Glocester man has been sentenced in Newport County Superior Court to serve 12 years in prison following the shooting death of 25-year-old Taylor Peterson in June 2021. 

On February 26, 2025, Superior Court Justice Richard D. Raspallo sentenced Ryan Gallagher (age 31) to 25 years with 12 years to serve at the ACI and 25 years of probation. Judge Raspallo also ordered forfeiture of the firearm and substance abuse counseling.

On July 25, 2024, the defendant pleaded nolo contendere to one count of manslaughter. 

“Gun violence comes in many forms, but always yields pain for victims and their families,” said Attorney General Neronha. “This defendant’s negligence in wielding an unsecured firearm resulted in the worst possible outcome, and with this sentencing, he faces the appropriate consequences. Taylor Peterson had her whole life ahead of her before it was cut short by this entirely avoidable incident, and I hope her family is able to find some closure knowing the defendant has been held accountable. Additionally, I want to thank the Glocester Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police for their partnership in this case.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on June 12, 2021, the defendant brought a 9mm handgun into the bathroom where his girlfriend, Taylor Peterson, was folding laundry. The defendant unintentionally discharged the gun, striking Ms. Peterson, who succumbed to the injuries she sustained from the gunshot. The defendant then called 911 to report an accidental shooting.

On December 9, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging the defendant with second-degree murder following an 18-month investigation. The charge was subsequently amended to manslaughter.

“I want to thank the men and women of the Glocester Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in seeking justice for the victim’s family,” said Glocester Police Chief Joseph DelPrete. “My hope is that this tragedy encourages others to use caution when handling firearms.”

Stephen Dambruch, Chief of the Criminal Division and Assistant Attorney General Mark Benjamin of the Office of the Attorney General and Investigator Matthew Floor and Sergeant Daniel Lefebvre of the Glocester Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case, with support from the Rhode Island State Police. 

There are reports the Justice Department is investigating Minnesota's governor and the Minneapolis mayor. Multiple outlets cite U.S. officials saying Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are being investigated for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement. One official says the investigation centers on statements the two leaders have made about the thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents deployed to Minneapolis. Their presence has sparked protests, which have grown since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer last week.        Court is done for the week in the Charlie Kirk assassination case in Utah. Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting the conservative personality at a rally in September, argued a key prosecutor has a family member who was present at the time Kirk was shot. They say that communications between them raise concerns over impartiality and the prosecution's decision to seek the death penalty, and argue the prosecutor should be disqualified.        President Trump says he currently doesn't have reason to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. Before leaving the White House for Florida on Friday, Trump was asked about using the act as protests continue in Minneapolis. Trump said there's no reason to use it at this time, adding, that if he "needed it, it's available" to him. The Insurrection Act would give Trump the authority to deploy the military to suppress a rebellion on American soil.        Virginia Senate Democrats are sending a redistricting amendment to voters for approval. If voters support the amendment in a special election, which is expected to be on the spring ballot, the Legislature would be able to redraw the state's congressional map before midterms. Democrats currently have a six-five edge in the state's congressional delegation, looking to control either a ten-one or nine-two split for the new map.        Renee Good was unresponsive when first responders arrived after she was shot by an ICE agent last week in Minneapolis. A newly released incident report from the Minneapolis Fire Department offered more clarity into the incident, with Good having two apparent gunshot wounds to her right chest, one on her left forearm and another possible wound on the left side of her head. Good's killing has led to protests nationwide, while the Trump administration is calling her a "domestic terrorist."        Bad Bunny is previewing his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance. The video shows the singer walking through a forest while playing a song from his most recent album, soon joined by dancers off all different ages and cultures. It ends with a message saying "the world" - all different ages, races and styles - "will dance." Bad Bunny's choice as the headliner of the halftime show has drawn conservative backlash, with the Trump Administration threatening to have ICE agents at the game.       

Old News Archives