Staff report
KILLINGTON—On Tuesday, Nov. 29 at approximately 2:15 p.m. a Rutland County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on Route 4 in Killington near the top of Sherburne Pass for a motor vehicle infraction.
After the deputy approached the vehicle and identified himself to the lone male in the car, the driver informed the officer that he was going to the cemetery to kill himself and asked the deputy to just shoot him, according to a press release put out by Rutland County Sheriff David Fox.
The deputy at the scene then observed a short rifle the driver had by his right leg in the car.
The deputy then called for other officers to assist and began trying to talk to the driver and help.
Killington Chief of Police Whit Montgomery and officer Mike Hoffman arrived to assist with the de-escalation. After several minutes of trying to get the driver to put the gun down and talk with them, the male pointed the gun at his own chest and fired one shot into his upper right chest area, according to Sheriff Fox.
Officers then immediately removed the driver from the vehicle and rendered aid until an ambulance arrive and transported him to Rutland Regional Medical Center.
Officer Montgomery reported that the victim was conscious and alert when transported into the ambulance. He also clarified that the gun was never pointed at an officer.
Neither the driver nor the deputy on the scene were identified in the press release. Fox and Montgomery declined to give further information as of press time, include the status of the victim at the hospital.
For updates to this story, visit mountaintimes.info.
