The Vermont State Police have disclosed the identity of the trooper who fatally shot a man in Putney on Monday. The trooper has been identified as Peter Romeo. Romeo has been a member of the Vermont State Police since 2022 and has served as a uniformed trooper at the Westminster Barracks since January 2023. Following the fatal shooting, he has been placed on paid relief-from-duty status. The Vermont State Police also identified the individual who was shot and killed as Scott Garvey, aged 55. Authorities reported that he resided at the Putney Landing home where the shooting occurred. An autopsy revealed that he succumbed to gunshot wounds to the torso and left leg. His death has been classified as a homicide. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway.
Authorities reported that they had received a mental health call from a worried neighbor on Sunday, and a health caseworker addressed the matter via phone.
Subsequently, police arrived at the apartment on Monday, where Garvey had barricaded himself inside while making threatening remarks, including indications of self-harm.
When officers eventually entered the apartment, Garvey was reportedly holding an object that they suspected to be a firearm. After he did not comply with commands, Trooper Romeo discharged his weapon, resulting in Garvey’s death.
No weapons were discovered after the incident.
Prior to the identification of Trooper Romeo and Garvey, residents of the apartment complex expressed their shock upon returning home to find an ongoing investigation. Kara Cassell stated that she had never encountered anything of this nature during her time living there.
“I pray for everyone involved,” she remarked. “It is very tragic, and I feel sympathy for all parties concerned; it is simply very distressing.”
On Tuesday, representatives from the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Windham County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Vermont State Police Office of Internal Affairs were present to initiate their independent assessments of the use of force.
“The investigation will be submitted to the attorney general’s office and our office, unless we opt to recuse ourselves and request another state’s attorney’s office to conduct the review,” stated Deputy State’s Attorney for Windham County Dana Nevins. “Both offices will perform an independent evaluation of the investigation at that point.”
State Police continue to urge anyone with pertinent information regarding the shooting to reach out to them at (802)-722-4600 or to provide an anonymous tip. https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
UVM secures $1.2M grant to address Vermont’s mental health workforce crisis. In response to Vermont’s escalating mental health crisis and a significant lack of trained professionals—particularly in rural areas—the University of Vermont (UVM) has secured a $1.2 million federal grant to enhance its clinical psychology doctoral training program. Granted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the funding—designated VT HEALS—will support UVM’s accredited clinical psychology Ph.D. program for the next three years. This funding will strengthen training in integrated care, substance use treatment, and trauma-informed methods, preparing future psychologists to address the state’s pressing mental health challenges. The initiative is spearheaded by Matthew Price, the George W. Albee Green & Gold Professor and Director of Clinical Training in UVM’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Cathedral Square has received a $125,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) to improve dementia-specific respite care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers in Chittenden County. Cathedral Square is among 41 recipients selected from over 200 applicants nationwide. The funds will support a pilot program for respite care in Cathedral Square’s Memory Care at Allen Brook (MCAB) community in Williston, allowing caregivers to take a much-needed break from their responsibilities.
A Vermont woman claims she was wrongfully arrested and jailed in connection with a fatal drug overdose, and is suing the Brattleboro police sergeant involved in her case. Alicia Kelley from North Troy, VT, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Brattleboro Police Lieutenant Greg Eaton, alleging that essential verification steps were overlooked before a warrant was issued in her name. This incident relates to the heroin-related death of 21-year-old Brianna Radcliffe, who collapsed in a Dunkin’ Donuts bathroom on Putney Road in Brattleboro and subsequently died at a hospital. Eaton is being sued personally, while the Town of Brattleboro and its police department are not included as defendants in the lawsuit. The case seeks both compensatory and punitive damages, along with legal costs and attorney’s fees.
A long-planned renovation project at the Transportation Center on Flat Street is set to take a major step forward on Tuesday, as the Select Board considers awarding a $555,000 construction contract to All Seasons Construction Corp. for new public restrooms and a police substation. If approved, construction would begin in early August and wrap up by mid-November. The work would create three exterior-accessible bathrooms — including one meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards — along with new office space for police operations, parking enforcement, and community outreach programs. The upgrades are part of a broader effort to improve downtown safety and accessibility, town officials said. The total cost of the project, including design, engineering, management, and a 10 percent contingency fund, is estimated at $647,150. Funding will come from Brattleboro’s revolving loan fund, which the Select Board capped at $707,444 when it initially approved the project last fall.
Students in Vermont are getting the chance to fly high thanks to a unique aviation program at Vermont State University. VTSU has the only four-year pilot aviation degree in the state. Its members are a part of internationally renowned organizations like Women in Aviation and the 99s, the latter of which will be having their annual conference in Burlington from July 9 to 13. Students who join VTSU’s program start flying in their first semester — something programs outside Vermont don’t usually offer. They said the extra time gets them more comfortable with the planes and gives them experience flying in all conditions.
A 71-year-old Connecticut man was arrested on a driving under the influence
charge after deputies received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Route 5.
Bernard J. Witkovitch of Fairfield, Connecticut, was taken into custody June 26
at Harlow’s Sugar House in Putney, according to the Windham County Sheriff’s
Office. Deputies responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle traveling on
Route 5 and located the vehicle at the sugar house. Witkovitch was identified as
the operator of the vehicle. During the investigation, Witkovitch consented to
standardized field sobriety testing and was subsequently arrested for driving
under the influence of alcohol. Witkovitch was later released on a citation and
appeared at Windham Superior Court – Criminal Division earlier today (Tues.).
Keene police said a man was flown to a Boston hospital early Tuesday morning
after suffering serious injuries in a fiery crash. The crash happened at about
12:49 a.m. on Pearl Street, near the intersection with Meadow Road. Police said
Shawn Brousseau, 34, of Keene, was driving when his car slammed into a tree
and then caught fire. Brousseau was rescued from the fiery wreckage before he
was taken to Cheshire Medical Center. He was then flown to Boston Medical
Center, police said. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact
Detective Andrew Lippincott at 603-357-9820.
Police say a missing Vermont woman has been found. Troopers had asked the
public for help finding Danielle Lemieux, 32, of Derby, who they said had been
missing since Friday. And they said there were concerns for her welfare.
Monday afternoon, police said Lemieux had been found. They did not release
any other details.
WTSA SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 9th 2025
THE REDSOX DEFEATED THE ROCKIES LAST NIGHT 10 – 2, THE SOX LOOK FOR A SWEEP TONIGHT AGAINST THE ROCKIES IN GAME 3, FIRST PITCH TONIGHT AT 7:10PM
THE YANKEES DEFEATED THE MARINERS YESTERDAY 10 – 3, GAME 2 OF THEIR 3 GAME SERIES IS TONIGHT, FIRST PITCH AT 7:05PM
THE PGA TOUR GENESIS SCOTTISH OPEN STARTS UP THURSDAY JULY 10TH THROUGH THE 13TH AT THE RENAISSANCE CLUB .