by Guy Page

Police are investigating a shooting outside the Colchester Police Department that left a Milton man injured Saturday evening.

Colchester Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call at about 6:45 p.m. reporting a loud bang followed by screaming near 806 Blakely Road. Moments later, a 25-year-old man from Milton entered the lobby of the Colchester Police Department at 835 Blakely Road with a facial wound, telling officers he had just been shot. Officers immediately assisted the victim, who was treated at the scene and transported by Colchester Rescue to UVM Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized, and no additional information has been released.

Investigators identified a suspect with assistance from the Milton Police Department. Police say the shooting was a targeted incident and that there is no ongoing danger to the public. On Sunday, police identified the suspect as Dakota Ward, 20, of Enosburgh. Ward is charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of a dangerous weapon during the commission of a felony. He was lodged at the Northwest Correctional Facility in St. Albans and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on Tuesday.

Separately, Vermont State Police report an assault arrest in Ryegate. On January 19 at about 2:39 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a domestic assault on Pleasant Street. Police say their investigation determined Carl Jackson Jr., 38, of Ryegate assaulted another individual. Jackson was taken into custody without incident and later lodged on $200 bail at the Northeast Regional Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury. The names of victims in domestic violence cases are not released.

State police also report several recent DUI arrests across Vermont:

• Courtney Pascoe, 46, of Cambridge, was arrested December 17, 2025, after a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Prive Hill Road in Enosburgh. Police say Pascoe showed signs of impairment and was processed for DUI–drugs, second and subsequent offense. Pascoe was released with a citation to appear in Franklin County Superior Court on March 31, 2026.
• Raymond Morris, 37, of Rutland, was arrested January 19 after a traffic stop in Rutland. Troopers reported indicators of impairment. Morris was processed and released with a citation to appear in Rutland County Superior Court at a later date.
• Joshua McNally, 35, of Lyndonville, was arrested following a traffic stop in Lyndonville after troopers observed signs of impairment. McNally was processed at the St. Johnsbury Barracks and released with a citation to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court.
• Nicolas L. Garcia, 30, of Marshfield, was arrested January 18 following a traffic stop on U.S. Route 7 in New Haven. Troopers reported signs of impairment. Garcia was released with a citation to appear in Addison County Superior Court on March 16, 2026.
• Dylan Lee Gamache, 54, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, was arrested following a four-vehicle crash on Waterbury–Stowe Road in Waterbury. Police say Gamache crossed the center line, causing the crash, and displayed signs of impairment. He was cited to appear in Washington County Superior Court.