A man who was jailed without bail after being shot by a Vermont State Police trooper during a manhunt could face charges Monday.
Police say Sgt. Eugene Duplissis fired his weapon several times at 33-year-old John-Victor Wetherby around 12:30 a.m. Saturday in Rockingham.
Wetherby suffered a single graze-type wound and was treated at Springfield Hospital before being released to law enforcement.
State police were assisting the Bellows Falls Police Department in its investigation of an aggravated assault that took place at a Hyde Street home. Initial reports indicated the suspect, Wetherby, was barricaded inside the home.
The search for Wetherby continued after that home was discovered to be empty.
Authorities tracked Wetherby to a vacant home at 22 Cota Heights Road in Rockingham a few hours later. While inside, police say Wetherby came across an antique double-barreled shotgun, armed himself with the weapon and aimed it at police when he saw law enforcement approaching.
Sgt. Duplissis fired his weapon in response, police say.
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After the shooting, the shotgun that Wetherby was armed with was found to be unloaded.
“We are thankful that the suspect was able to be taken into custody without any further danger or harm to police, to the public, or to the suspect himself,” said Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police.
Wetherby was taken to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield on warrants for aggravated assault and violating probation.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Duplissis has been placed on paid administrative leave. He has been a member of the Vermont State Police since July 2001, is assigned to the office of professional development in Pittsford, and is also a member of the tactical services unit.
Vermont's attorney general will review the ongoing investigation.
It's unclear if Wetherby has an attorney.
