Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont State Police has arrested Francis Phelps, 29, of Royalton in connection with the fatal shooting Tuesday, March 17, at a home on Vermont Route 14.
Phelps is expected to be arraigned at 1 p.m. today — Wednesday, March 18 — in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
An autopsy on George Sun, 41, of Royalton is taking place today at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The second victim is identified as Dakota Fielder, 26. He remains hospitalized at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and was in fair condition Wednesday morning.
Through investigation, police learned that Sun and Fielder were involved in a dispute with Phelps and another man, who was staying at the residence at 4497 Vermont Route 14. Sun and Fielder traveled to the residence, at which point Phelps began shooting, striking both men. The second man at the Route 14 residence is not facing any charges at this time.
No further information is currently available. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following arraignment.
***Update No. 2, 5:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020***
Following continued investigation, the Vermont State Police is preliminarily identifying the victim who was killed in Tuesday morning’s shooting in Royalton as George Sun, 41. He is a Vermont resident with no current known permanent address. Sun’s body will be taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine the cause and manner of death.
The man who was shot and injured is 26 years old, also with no current known permanent address. He underwent surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and was last known to be receiving care in the ICU. The state police is continuing to work to inform the victim’s relatives and will withhold his identity until after making contact.
Both victims, who are believed to be friends, were located outside the residence, at 4497 Vermont Route 14.
Two other men who were at the residence at the time of the shooting are currently at the state police barracks in Royalton in connection with the criminal investigation. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed. The state police is working closely with the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.
The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team is working at the residence where the shooting occurred. Vermont Route 14 is expected to remain closed into Tuesday evening.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information that may be relevant to the case call the Royalton Barracks at 802-234-9933.
***Update No. 1, 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020***
The Vermont State Police will hold a media availability at 4 p.m. today — Tuesday, March 17 — at the Royalton Barracks, 2011 VT Route 107 in Bethel, to discuss the investigation.
For media not wishing to attend in person, the availability will be streamed live on the Vermont State Police Facebook page, FB.com/VermontStatePolice. A call-in option also is available. To receive details on participating by phone, please RSVP by email to Adam Silverman, the state police public information officer, at [email protected].
***Initial news release, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020***
Members of the Vermont State Police are investigating a shooting incident at a home on Vermont Route 14 in the town of Royalton that left one man dead and another injured.
Troopers were called to respond to an altercation occurring at the home on Route 14 at about 2:45 a.m. Reports were received soon after that of gunshots. Upon arrival troopers located one man who was deceased, and another man both suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The injured man was transported to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and is currently in surgery.
The investigation into the shooting is in its initial stages. There is no threat to the public. Detectives with the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigations, joined by members of the Crime Scene Search Team and Field Force Division, are investigating the incident.
The identities of the deceased victim and the survivor are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The deceased victim’s body will be transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.
Route 14 in Royalton near the scene is currently closed to all thru traffic.
Anyone with information that might be relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in Royalton at 802-234-9933.
Updates will be provided when additional information is available.
Soruce: ROYALTON, Vt. (March 18, 2020) — Vermont State Police