Full Notification

On April 14, 2016 at approximately 3:20 p.m. Burlington Police Officers responded to Greene Street to check on the welfare of a male resident. The male reportedly called a third party angry over assistance he felt was inadequate. The male was reportedly displaying volatile behavior to include implied threats. When the third party suggested he speak with his mental health provider he adamantly declined and stated he had a rifle in his possession and he had better not be bothered or he would “go out in a blaze of glory.”

Police officers quickly established a perimeter around the residence, and began working with mental health professionals to gather critical information that would assist in establishing the best course of action. It was determined by the mental health professionals, to include the male’s primary mental health practitioner, that the male needed immediate assistance. Working with our mental health partners, the appropriate court paperwork was acquired to take the male into custody and transport him to the UVMMC where he would receive the services needed.

The many attempts to initiate communication with the male had gone without reply and officers were still not certain if the male was in his residence. Having gathered all the information needed, exhausted all means of establishing communication and with court documents mandating medical assistance in hand, the officers cleared the neighbors from the immediate area and approached the subject’s door. Once established outside the apartment door further attempts were made to initiate communication. There was no reply and there was no immediate indication that the apartment was occupied. At that time officers made entry into the residence to ensure the male was not inside in an incapacitated state. The protective sweep of the apartment ended without locating the male, but the officers did secure a long rifled pellet gun, which resembles a high powered rifle, as well as a machete. At that point the area was deemed safe and the street was restored to normal.

Later that evening, around 11:00 pm, officers received a call by a fellow tenant who advised the male had returned and could be heard screaming and stomping around his apartment. The caller advised the male was, “out of control and ballistic.” Officers arrived only to find the male had already left the area. The same male was later found at a local convenience store and was taken into custody without further incident.

There are no criminal charges associated with this incident. This was a mental health episode and the male was taken into custody by police for the purposes of getting him the services he needed and only done after great consultation and guidance from our mental health partners. When an individual’s mental well-being diminishes to a point where they display great instability and become volatile the burden of apprehending them falls to law enforcement professionals. It is a delicate operation which requires accurate information, detailed planning, coordination, and due care all with the hopes of a peaceful resolution.