Cop tased with his own taser/ Uncle, nephew die in homicide-suicide/ Cow dies in freeway collision

By Guy Page

A Fletcher man who convinced his girlfriend to jump off a 70-foot cliff by saying they were being attacked by a bear in 2014 was arrested Friday night and jailed without bail after police say he shot into an occupied home in Huntington.

State police say a lone suspect had fired a shot at a house and had taken off in a white Grand Marquis. Shortly after the initial call, it was reported the shooter was back at the residence and advancing on the home. Troopers responded to the residence and found a man in the white Grand Marquis who was detained and identified as Lucas Gingras, 38, of Fletcher.

Troopers found a loaded muzzleloader and a crossbow in the front seat. They say Gingras had pointed a rifle at another man in the home before leaving the scene. Shortly after leaving Gingras returned and fired a round at the home, where a woman and juvenile were inside. Gingras drove off before returning where he advanced on the home.

Gingras was released on furlough in January 2019 after being sentenced to 4-10 years in 2016 for a bizarre bear hoax incident resulting in serious injuries to his drug-addled girlfriend. According to the police/court documents, as published by the Jan. 31, 2019 Milton Independent:

“Gingras was arrested after a drug-fueled incident on Georgia Mountain in June 2014: Police said he drugged his then-girlfriend, Ladonna Merriman, and convinced her a bear was trying to enter the hunting cabin where they were staying. Gingras set fire to the cabin and lured Merriman to jump off a 70-foot ledge to escape the animal.

“Gingras then dragged a seriously injured Merriman to an abandoned vehicle and fired a gun at the trunk before going to get help. He loaded Merriman into a friend’s car and drove past the police and rescue station to their apartment before calling 911. EMTs found Merriman bleeding in the upstairs bathtub. She survived but has since died of unrelated causes.”

Friday, May 10, Gingras was taken into custody and brought to the Vermont State Police Williston Barracks for processing.

Uncle-nephew killing – An uncle killed his nephew, then shot himself to death Thursday in South Hero, police say. 

Police received a 911 call at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday reporting the discovery of two bodies at a location on Kibbe Farm Road. The men, ages 68 and 35, were pronounced dead on scene.

Andrew “Drew” Lalumiere, 35, of South Hero, was determined to have died by gunshot wounds to the head and torso, and the manner of death is a homicide. John Lalumiere, 68, of South Hero, was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death is a suicide.

Police say John Lalumiere used a handgun to fatally shoot Andrew Lalumiere, his nephew, before using the same weapon to take his own life. The men lived in separate homes on the same property where the shooting took place. 

The circumstances and motive leading to this shooting remain under active investigation. The state police continues to ask that anyone with information that could assist in the ongoing investigation call the St. Albans Barracks at 802-524-5993 or leave an anonymous tip online.

St. J cop tased with his own taser by jaywalking serial felon – On Friday May 10, St. J. police officer Cpl. George Johnson was patrolling Bay Street when he saw a hooded male at the pavilion – was later identified as John Stelzl. The following is a lightly edited version of Johnson’s police report: 

“Stelzl has a lengthy criminal record (50 pages long) to include 6 felony convictions and 30 misdemeanor convictions. These past convictions include drug crimes and  violent crimes such as felony battery on officers and others. St. Johnsbury police have received past complaints about drug activity in this area. 

“I drove into the parking area of the pavilion and Stelzl immediately left walking north. When I went north the male then changed directions, heading south. Stelzl then jaywalked in front of me. I informed Stelzl that he had committed the offense of Jaywalking and asked for his name. “Stelzl lied, stating his name was Taylor Hay. I exited my cruiser and Stelzl took off running. I caught up to him and grabbed him and informed him that he was being detained.  

“Stelzl then fought. While fighting Stelzl, was informed that he was now under arrest. Stelzl was pepper sprayed, which he then wiped off and with the same hand gouged me in the eye.  

“While fighting with Stelzl a crack pip fell out of his pocket. After numerous commands to stop fighting Stelzl was tased. Stelzl then ripped the taser from my hand, turned, it fired. The taser probes struck me in the leg causing my leg to go numb and me to fall.  

“Stelzl continued to fight. Ofc. McKendrick Johnson arrived on scene. He later informed me that when he had arrived he observed Stelzl attempting to wrench my gun from my holster. Johnson assisted me in taking Stelzl into custody  and Stelzl continued to fight but was eventually overpowered.”

Cow dies in freeway collision – A collision involving a cow on Interstate 91 resulted in the death of the animal and no injuries to the driver, according to Vermont State Police.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m. yesterday near mile marker 163.4.

Jennifer Landsberg, 50, from Barton, was operating her 2011 Nissan Frontier when she struck a cow that was on the interstate.

The impact killed the cow instantly. Landsberg, who was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident, did not sustain any injuries. The front of her vehicle sustained significant damage.

Throughout the day, state troopers had been responding to reports of cows on the loose between exits 26 and 27, believed to belong to Audrey Marsh, 46, of Coventry. Despite efforts to locate and secure the cows, one remained at large and led to the unfortunate crash.