Suspect in earlier attempted murder is arrested again

By Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First

A young Burlington man, who was charged with attempted murder three years ago, has been arrested following one of two shootings in Downtown Burlington early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Alex Ewanchyna, 21, is due for arraignment on Monday in Vermont Superior Court on charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment for the Sunday shooting, Burlington Police said.

In the first shooting, Burlington Police Officers were patrolling the Church Street Marketplace on foot when they heard gunfire in the area of Church and Main Streets about 12:20 a.m. Sunday.

Officers located the shooting suspect, who was running north on Church Street with a firearm in his hand, Detective Lt. Mike Beliveau said.

Officers swiftly apprehended the suspect and identified him as Ewanchyna, Beliveau said.

Investigation revealed that Ewanchyna fired a single gunshot at a group of individuals in the area of Church and Main Streets moments before officers arrested him, police said.

The superior court directed city police to lodge Ewanchyna without bail pending arraignment in court, Beliveau said.

In a second shooting reported about 12:45 a.m., Burlington Police was notified that a man had arrived at the UVM Medical Center with a single gunshot wound to his foot.

Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke said the man told investigators that he was shot while walking on Center Street when he ran into a person – but the victim offered little additional information.

Investigators later recovered a firearm and ballistic evidence from the vehicle which transported the victim to the medical center.

The evidence collected thus far suggests that the shooting may have actually occurred in the vehicle, Burke said.

Police are working to determine of the two shootings are connected.

A description of the two types of guns recovered from the shootings were not disclosed by police.

Burke said city police received valuable mutual aid support from area law enforcement agencies for the two incidents.

Ewanchyna, who was arrested in the first shooting on Sunday morning, was linked to a near fatal stabbing three years ago, according to a Burlington Police announcement at the time.

Police said they arrested Ewanchyna on Jan. 31, 2024 on charges of attempted homicide in relation to a stabbing along the 300 block Ethan Allen Parkway about 3:15 p.m. Sept. 28, 2023, records show.

Investigators determined that a fight took place between two individuals at that time, leading to one of them being stabbed in the upper chest, police said.

The victim, who was not identified, was treated at the UVM Medical Center.

Little was known Sunday about the outcome of the 2023 stabbing case, which may have been sent to Family Court by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office due to the age of suspect.

Age 19 might be considered a “Youthful Offender” and those arrested could avoid adult court consequences by seeking Family Court status.

Anyone with information about the two shooting incidents on Sunday is asked to contact Detective Randy Webster at (802) 540-2145.