Full Notification

INFORMATIONAL RELEASE
November 6, 2013
Incident Location: Randy Lane
Incident Number: 13BU30021

It is with great sadness that I write to release information on an incident that occurred in Burlington today. At approximately 4:19 pm Burlington Police were called to a house on Randy Lane for a report of a disturbance. Investigation into the details of what was occurring and occurred at the scene is being gathered in an ongoing investigation. On arrival the officers were confronted by a man wielding a long handled shovel. Repeated attempts to verbally convince the man to drop the shovel were unsuccessful and as he continued to wield the shovel he was shot by a police officer.

Emergency medical assistance via the Burlington Fire Department was immediately summoned and aid rendered to the man. He subsequently passed away at Fletcher Allen Healthcare a short time later.

Police have been working closely with the family during the investigation, which is now taking two tracks. The first track is a full investigation in progress by the Vermont State Police, who were called just after the incident occurred. The second is an internal investigation being conducted by the Department.

As a matter of practice, the two officers involved are on administrative leave for the foreseeable future. The officers were not injured in the incident.

At the request of the family we are not identifying the man involved so they have time to make contact with relatives and friends. We anticipate releasing his name in the morning. The family has also asked that I relay their request for privacy and distance from inquiry about this incident during this obviously difficult time.

We are also going to hold the names of the involved officers until morning so they may make contact with family as well.

We ask that the community keep all of those involved in this tragedy and their families in our collective thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

The last time a police officer discharged a firearm at a person in Burlington was in 1997.

More information will be released by Burlington PD and the VT State Police on Thursday morning the 7th. A time for that briefing will be announced by 8 am on Thursday.