BURLINGTON, VT – The peaceful environment in Burlington’s Old North End was shattered on Sunday evening following a deadly shooting that claimed two lives: 26-year-old Anthony Smith Jr. of Vergennes and 27-year-old Khalif Jones of Stowe.
The scene of the crime, Decatur Street, witnessed a massive police presence after the gunfire. Burlington Police Department confirmed that two victims succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds to the head. One was pronounced dead at the locale, while the other succumbed after being rushed to the hospital.
It is theorized by the police that Jones might have shot Smith, and an unknown third party could be responsible for fatally injuring Jones. Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad mentioned in a media briefing that another firearm involved in the incident is yet to be found.
The scene unfolded shortly after 9:30 p.m., but earlier in the evening, the police were prompted to investigate reports of gunshots on Main Street. According to witnesses, two males fled from the scene with what seemed to be a firearm. Murad indicated that unless a person claims to have been a target, the firing of a gun within the city premises would amount to a misdemeanor. The connection between the Main Street incident and the double homicide is yet to be ascertained.
Murad, along with Weinberger, expressed their ambition to elevate such a crime from a misdemeanor to a felony status on the state level. This amplification of severity would empower law enforcement with more instruments to prosecute persons committing such acts, they believe.
While assuring the public of their safety, Murad reported that this event marks the twelfth and thirteenth gunfire incidents this year.
During the investigation on Sunday night, authorities arrested 37-year-old Patrick Ibbotson of Burlington for transgressing the police line at the crime scene multiple times and impeding a public officer. Ibbotson, who has had nearly 40 interactions with the police since August 2023, was cited to appear in court on Monday.
In another unrelated incident in the early morning hours of Monday, a man reported being shot in the foot and robbed of drugs by several assailants. The rising drug crimes in Vermont must become a major public safety and public health priority, said Weinberger.
The day’s incidents concluded with a fire ignited by a suspect in the vestibule of the police headquarters early on Monday morning, prompting the evacuation of dispatch operators.