STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

Press statement read by Major Thomas L'Esperance surrounding the officer involved shooting that occurred in Bristol:

On November 17th, at approximately 7:00 PM the Vermont State Police, along with Bristol Police Department, responded to 38 North Street in Bristol for a report of a burglary in progress.  The officers  encountered a male subject inside the residence at the top of a narrow stairwell.  The male was brandishing a golf club and would not comply with the officer's demands to drop the club. The officers attempted to subdue the combative subject by utilizing OC spray, but their efforts were unsuccessful.  The subject then swung the club at a Trooper, at that time, a Trooper fired two shots, one striking the subject in the hand.  The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Porter Hospital in Middlebury for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

The subject is identified as Charles Cantin, age 40, of Burlington and is being charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, burglary and unlawful mischief, violations of Vermont State Statutes Title 13 V.S.A. 1028/1201/3705.  

The Troopers involved are Sgt. Steven McNamara and Tpr. Peter Dempsey.  Sgt. McNamara was the only officer who discharged his weapon.   

This incident will be reviewed by both the Addison County State's Attorney's Office and the Office of the Attorney General.  As a result of the nature of this incident, we are not able to comment on this incident further.