The Associated Press
RUTLAND, Vt. — A man wounded in a gunfight with a Vermont State Police trooper was charged with attempted murder Thursday and remained hospitalized in serious condition, police said.
John Walters, 51, of Proctor, engaged in a “violent gun battle” in his home with Sgt. Thomas Mozzer after pointing a 9-millimeter pistol at the trooper, who fired first, according to Col. James Baker, director of the Vermont State Police.
They traded about 20 shots — police wouldn’t say how many each man fired — during a gunfight that lasted about two minutes, ending when Walters was felled by shots to the chest, arm and legs, police said. Mozzer wasn’t hit.
The incident began Wednesday night when police were called by Walters’ wife, who said he was depressed and drinking and that she feared he was going to leave on his motorcycle.
When Mozzer responded, he found Walters sitting on a bed, in possession of a pistol, according to Baker.
After being ordered to drop the weapon, Walters yelled at Mozzer and then closed the door before emerging without the gun, according to Baker.
When Mozzer tried to take him into custody, the two struggled before Walters broke free, retrieving the gun from the bedroom and approaching Mozzer, yelling and pointing it at the trooper, Baker said.
A young girl about 6 or 7 years old — her identity wasn’t released — was upstairs at the time. She was unhurt.
When the shooting ended, Mozzer gave medical aid to Walters and asked a police dispatcher to send an ambulance. Walters was taken to Rutland Regional Medical Center and later flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., where he was listed in serious but stable condition.
A warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday, but State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Tara Thomas had no information about whether he was under police guard at the hospital. Hospital spokesman Jason Aldous said he had no information about Walters’ condition, and he wouldn’t say where Walters was under police guard there.
Mozzer’s actions will be reviewed by the state Attorney General’s office. He has been put on administrative leave for the time being, as per State Police policy, according to Baker.
Walters’ wife couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. A telephone message left at their home wasn’t immediately returned.
It was the second shooting this week involving Vermont State Police troopers.
On Monday, a Bristol burglary suspect who allegedly swung a golf club at a trooper was shot in the hand. Charles Cantin, 40, of Burlington, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, burglary and unlawful mischief. Sgt. Steven McNamara shot at him twice, and one shot hit him in the hand.