By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First

A former Vermont corrections officer is behind bars on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a controversial standoff with Vermont State Police in the Mad River Meadows housing complex in Waitsfield.

Rick E. Middleton, 43, of Waitsfield was brandishing at least one suspected firearm and wearing both a bullet-proof vest and a helmet during the incident that began at the complex on Butcher House Drive on Friday evening, state police said.

Middleton was involved in a dispute with a neighbor over loud music at the mixed housing complex, state police said. Middleton’s next-door neighbor had knocked on the wall multiple times to lower the volume, but the music remained loud, witnesses said.

The neighbor, Tyler Dunster, went outside and yelled to Middleton about the loud music, witnesses said. That’s when Middleton came out in full gear and a possible firearm, State Police Major Jeremy Hill said.

Vermont State Police later responded and spoke to both men multiple times to compare stories, but there were no witness statements that any gun had been pointed at anybody, Hill said. The final time when police wanted to speak with the gunman, Middleton had retreated inside and would not come out, Hill said.

Middleton refused multiple efforts to get him to come to the door, including alerting him with a siren and the public address system in a police cruiser, according to Hill, commander of the state criminal investigation division.

State Police consulted with the Washington County State’s Attorney and a judge about the best way to proceed – either arrest or cite Middleton into court, Hill said. He said part of the problem was police had a complaint, but the initial report had no proof a real firearm existed or whether it was a BB or toy gun and, whatever it was, it had not been pointed at anyone.

He said police were not inclined to call out the SWAT unit or other tactical options without having more solid information.

Hill said officials agreed that instead of escalating a music complaint into what might evolve into a shooting, a decision was made to try to de-escalate the situation. The troopers opted to pull back, Hill said.

The neighbor, Dunster, was encouraged to find a new spot for the night, but it was so late. The family opted to stay in their home in a bedroom that did not adjoin Middleton’s residence, according to Whitney Mann, who lives at the impacted home. Police eventually left the peaceful scene as the confrontation was over.

On Saturday, five Vermont State Police troopers from the Berlin barracks responded to the residence and took Middleton into custody about 10:30 a.m., veteran Patrol Sgt. Brandon Doll said.

Three firearms were seized, Doll told Vermont News First.

There is no known reason that Middleton is not allowed to legally have guns, police said.

Hill said as the troopers were responding on Saturday morning, Middleton’s wife called state police to say her husband had taken some pills and was locked inside the bathroom.

Police had to ensure it was not part of a set up and debated calling in the SWAT team, he said.

Local firefighters also responded and helped forced entry for the troopers, who had obtained a search warrant and arrest warrant overnight, Hill said.

Middleton was found vomiting in the bathroom and was taken into custody, police said. Two troopers accompanied him to Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin for an evaluation.

He was eventually turned over to two guards from the Department of Corrections.

A judge ordered Middleton jailed without bail on the felony assault charge, records show. He was lodged at the Northeastern Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury by 2:15 p.m., jail records show

He is due for arraignment in Vermont Superior Court in Barre on Monday.

There was considerable criticism on social media about the way the Vermont State Police handled the case and for leaving Middleton with his firearms overnight at the housing development with no police presence.

Hill said police had to make decisions based on the actual information they had and not on speculation. He said state police have been working hard to deescalate situations and not go charging into incidents.

State police initially issued a media alert shortly before 9 p.m. that they believed there was no current threat to the public.

By 10 p.m., state police said the area was clear.

CUTLINE: A social media screen grab from the Waitsfield incident.