A man shot by police in Pownal on Thursday night is in critical condition, according to Vermont State Police.
The agency says it received a call at 9:22 p.m. from a family member of 48-year-old Bernard Rougeau. The caller said Rougeau was intoxicated and “intentionally cut himself.”
Troopers arrived at the scene around 9:45 p.m. and learned Rougeau had gone into the woods with a long gun.
About an hour after police got to the scene, Rougeau came out of the woods holding a shotgun and — according to police — did not comply with their request for him to drop his gun. Then, police say, 23 year old trooper Thomas Sandberg shot Rougeau with a department issued shotgun.
Rougeau was taken into custody and airlifted to Albany Medical Center. Initially in critical condition, state police described his condition as "stabilized" by state police Friday afternoon.
Trooper Sandberg has been placed on administrative leave, per Vermont State Police policy.
Vermont State Police are investigating the shooting. According to the agency, the shooting was captured on video by a state police cruiser that was at the scene.
Once the investigation by state police is finished, the agency plans to have it reviewed by the Bennington County State’s Attorney and the Attorney General.
Police in Vermont have shot and killed three people since September of last year — in Montpelier, Poultney and during a traffic stop in I-89. Prosectuors declined to bring charges in any of those cases.
Updated 4:48 October 19.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated Police in Vermont had shot and killed three people in the last year.
