Police in Burlington, largely understaffed due to funding cuts from City Council, investigated another gun incident early Monday morning. Multiple parties were firing at each other, according to BPD.
Just hours after the weekend had passed, Burlington Police found themselves investigating another shooting — one involving “multiple parties” and resulting in at least one hospitalization.
According to a report from the department, police were on the scene at City Hall Park at 4:14 a.m. Monday after dispatch received calls from a person claiming a friend was shot in the park. The responding officers found the caller and transported the victim to the local hospital.
The city has seen a string of gunfire incidents since City Council voted to cut the force by as much as 30 percent.
Other recent incidents
At 2:15 a.m. the previous Sunday, an officer observed a conflict involving 15 people in an alleyway near City Hall Park, including two women fighting. An officer was able to stop the fight.
“Preliminary investigation revealed the females knew each other from previous encounters. Officers gathered statements and discovered one of the females had suffered multiple non-life threatening stab wounds,” the police report states.
One of the women was taken to the UVM Emergency Department. Nearby surveillance cameras may play a role in the ongoing investigation.
That same morning, at 4 a.m., police encountered another gunfire incident.
“Burlington Police received a 911 call regarding a shooting that occurred in the area of the 200 block of No. Willard St,” the report states. “The caller reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot followed by a male running after two males. Officers responded and recovered ballistics evidence consistent with a firearm discharged.”
Officers found a gun during their investigation. The report says that multiple shots were fired, and while officers were collecting evidence, UVM Medical Center reported a man had arrived with gunshot wounds. Officers went to the hospital to speak with him and they confirmed that he was involved. Officers intended to investigate this man’s apartment.
Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.
