Vermont

Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation in Arlington, Vt.

State police said Matt Novick, 40, is undergoing treatment for multiple gunshot wounds

An officer-involved shooting involving an armed man who authorities say fired at state troopers multiple times Monday morning is under investigation in Arlington, Vermont.

State police said Matt Novick, 40, is undergoing treatment for multiple gunshot wounds following the incident at a home on Red Mountain Road.

Authorities said troopers responded to the home at about 3:50 a.m. after receiving a 911 call from a relative of Novick who lives nearby. The relative reported that Novick was "experiencing a mental-health crisis".

When troopers got to the home, Novick was standing in the doorway and carrying what appeared to be an AK-47-style semi-automatic rifle, according to state police.

The troopers parked at the base of the driveway and additional troopers and police officers were called to the scene to assist.

At about 5 a.m., police said they heard a number of gunshots being fired from the area of the home.

When officers started to evacuate nearby residents, they heard additional gunfire from Novick's driveway.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicates Novick had gone down the driveway and fired in the direction of officers. The troopers took cover and returned fire, striking Novick multiple times.

Novick was taken into custody and provided medical assistance before being taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. He was then flown by medical helicopter to at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York where he underwent surgery. Novick's exact condition is unknown.

Police said the two troopers who fired their weapons will be placed on paid administrative leave for five days pending the investigation.

Both the Vermont Attorney General's Office and the Bennington County State's Attorney's Office will determine whether the shooting was justified.

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