Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fair Haven officer won't be charged for killing a man during June incident, AG says

A photo of a police car's red and blue lights
kali9
/
iStock.com
Attorney General Charity Clark said today that detective Shaun Hewitt used "necessary and appropriate force" when he opened fire on Kenneth Barber Jr. as Barber tried to speed away from him

A Fair Haven police officer will not be charged for shooting and killing a man during a confrontation in June.

Attorney General Charity Clark said today that detective Shaun Hewitt used "necessary and appropriate force" when he opened fire on Kenneth Barber Jr. as Barber tried to speed away from him.

Hewitt responded to a call that Barber was assaulting a neighbor, according to Vermont State Police. The detective and three neighbors restrained Barber and removed a gun from his waist, police say, but Barber refused Hewitt's commands to surrender, and fled to his vehicle.

More from Vermont Public: Vermont State Police investigating fatal police shooting in Fair Haven

Police say Barber turned on the ignition and put the vehicle in reverse while Hewitt stood in the open driver's side doorway. Barber ignored Hewitt's commands to stop, authorities say, and accelerated in reverse.

According to police, Hewitt, still wedged in the open doorframe, fired one round that hit Barber's torso.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

Mark Davis has spent more than a decade working as a reporter in Vermont, focusing on both daily and long-form stories. Prior joining Vermont Public as assistant news director, he worked for five years at Seven Days, the alt-weekly in Burlington, where he won national awards for his criminal justice reporting. Before that, he spent nine years at the Valley News, where won state and national awards for his coverage of the criminal justice system, Topical Storm Irene, and other topics. He has also served as a producer and editor for the Rumblestrip podcast. He graduated from the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
Latest Stories