UPDATED: Vermont State Police investigating officer involved fatal shooting on I-89 in Bolton

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger.org

AVermont State Police say they are investigating an officer involved shooting that left a man dead following a traffic stop Sunday afternoon on Interstate 89 in Bolton.

Police identified the man as Benjamin Gregware, age 42 of Sheldon. Police have also not released the names of the Vermont State Police trooper and Richmond police officer who they said shot the man.

“The Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit and Crime Scene Search Team have been activated and are responding to the scene,” police said in release issued Sunday evening. “This investigation is in its early stages therefore no other details are available at this time, to include the identity of the deceased or officers involved.”

Police said the shooting took place at about 3:50 p.m. Sunday after a traffic stop on I-89 southbound near mile marker 69 in Bolton.

Gregware was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was taken to University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington following the shooting where he later died, according to police.

An autopsy will be performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in order to determine cause and manner of death, police said.

A preliminary investigation by the Vermont State Police found that Gregware was “armed with a handgun at the time of the shooting.” Detectives are working with the Chittenden County State’s Attorney and have notified the Vermont Attorney General’s Office.

Neither the trooper nor the Richmond police officer, who have not been identified, were injured in the shooting. Both have been placed on administrative leave.

A press conference will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Vermont State Police barracks in Williston.