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Mayor Weinberger Statement on Monday Morning Shooting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2018
Contact:  Katie Vane
                  802.734.0617

 

Mayor Weinberger Statement on Monday Morning Shooting
 

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today released the following statement in response to the shooting in Burlington on Monday, February 26, 2018:
 

“I was deeply troubled to learn of this early morning’s shooting, and have been in touch with Chief del Pozo as the investigation of the incident has continued. The suspect, who has ties to drug trafficking in Vermont, and who was intoxicated at the time of the event, is now in custody. I am grateful for the rapid response of the Burlington Police officers who ran toward the sound of gunfire and immediately apprehended the alleged shooter, and for the quick response of the Burlington Fire Department, which provided emergency medical support to the victim. My thoughts are with the victim of the shooting, the victim’s family, and all those impacted by this violence.

 

“This act of violence, though rare in Burlington, is intolerable. This morning’s event is a reminder of the importance of Burlington’s own efforts to protect its residents from gun violence. Several years ago, Burlington voters voted overwhelmingly in support of a charter change that would prohibit guns in bars, a commonsense measure that has languished in Montpelier ever since, despite repeated advocacy for it from Burlington’s elected representatives in the City and in the Legislature.

 

“Last week, Governor Scott and State legislators demonstrated leadership by taking new, much-needed steps toward commonsense gun reform. As Montpelier considers a broad array of new reforms, statewide prohibition of guns from bars should be considered. At the time of the City’s last testimony to the House Government Operations Committee, such prohibitions were the law in 16 states, including rural states such as Alaska, Texas, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Guns and alcohol don’t mix well.  I urge State leaders to look carefully at crafting comparable legislation for Vermont to make shootings like the one that happened in Burlington early this morning less likely.”
 

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Press Release Date: 
02/26/2018
City Department: 
Mayor's Office