HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/2019 - Crisis Intervention - 19SB000579
19 Gregory Drive, Suite 1, South Burlington, Vermont 05403
Dispatch 846-4111 • Records 846-4160 • Administration 846-4165
MEDIA RELEASE
INCIDENT TYPE: DATE/TIME REPORTED:
Crisis Intervention January 16th, 2019
INCIDENT NUMBER: LOCATION:
19SB000579 Double Tree Hotel / Williston Road
INVESTIGATOR: INVESTIGATOR CONTACT:
Sean Pope, Detective spope@southburlingtonpolice.org
AUTHOR: APPROVED BY:
Shawn P. Burke, Chief Shawn P. Burke, Chief
NARRATIVE:
During the early morning hours of January 16th, 2019 the South Burlington Police Department was
alerted to a male subject experiencing a mental health crisis at the Double Tree Hotel. A family
member of the person in crisis called to report that their loved one was having homicidal ideations
which were stemming from paranoia. It was further reported that the person in crisis was armed.
Arriving Officers learned that the subject had been seen by hotel staff outside of his room holding a
handgun in each hand. Officers were able to make observations of the subject from afar and saw the
person with body armor while he was in his room.
Officers were able to work with hotel staff and evacuate the affected area of the building. Once the
area was rendered safe, investigators worked to develop information about the subject and his current
crisis. A Burlington Police Department crisis negotiator made telephonic contact with the subject. The
negotiator successfully convinced the subject that the police were there to help him and orchestrated
a peaceful surrender. When the subject surrendered to police he was armed with two loaded
handguns and was wearing body armor. No one was hurt during this incident and at the time of this
release no criminal conduct has been identified. The male subject was transferred to a facility for
evaluation and treatment.
This incident was brought to peaceful resolution via a thoughtful and well-resourced response by the
South Burlington Police and Fire Departments, the Burlington Police Department, the University of
Vermont Police Services, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Additionally,
the staff of the Double Tree Hotel and their guests were very cooperative and understanding of the
measures the police were forced to take in order to keep everyone involved safe.
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