Rhode Island man critically injured in trooper-involved shooting in Vermont

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vermont. (WLNE) — The Vermont State Police is currently investigating a trooper-involved shooting that happened on Sunday night.

30-year-old Brenden Sackal of Hopkinton, Rhode Island was shot and injured during an incident that resulted as officials were trying to make an arrest, according to a release from Vermont State Troopers.

The troopers involved who fired their department-issued handguns at Sackal during the incident have been placed on paid relief-from-duty status, following standard procedure after a critical incident.

Sackal was reported to be in critical condition with non-life-threatening injuries as of Monday, July 15.

According to the release, the incident began Sunday evening when police in Rhode Island notified law-enforcement authorities in northern New Hampshire and Vermont that the suspect was believed to be traveling in the region, and was the subject of an arrest warrant on charges related to possessing illegal high-capacity firearm magazines.

Rhode Island Police had executed a search warrant Friday, July 12, at Sackal’s home but were unable to locate him.

Sunday night, an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol observed Sackal’s pickup truck in the area of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, and initiated a traffic stop.

However, after  briefly pulling over, Sackal drove away, and Border Patrol agents followed him through New Hampshire, and into Vermont.

Sackal continued north on Vermont Route 114, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection used a tire-deflation device on his truck due to concerns that Sackal might try to cross the border into Canada.

Sackal then headed south at relatively slow speeds on Route 114 driving on flat tires and rims, followed by Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection and one deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.

Vermont State Troopers became involved and continued to follow Sackal with their lights and sirens activated.

Troopers then attempted to bring Sackal’s vehicle to a stop.

Video reviewed by investigators shows that Sackal collided with two VSP cruisers and then lost control, with the truck coming to rest on the shoulder and partially in the northbound lane of Route 114 near Pinkham Road in Burke.

During the arrest, the suspect fired a weapon at troopers.

Two troopers returned fire, injuring the suspect.

Troopers took Sackal into custody and immediately began rendering first aid until rescue crews arrived.

No troopers or other individuals were injured in the exchange of gunfire

Charges in Vermont against Sackal arising from this incident are pending.

The Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit investigates all officer-involved shootings in the state.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant county’s State’s Attorney’s Office for independent reviews of the use of force, according to the release.