The Vermont State Police continues to actively pursue leads in the ongoing investigation into last week’s fatal shooting of Honoree Fleming, 77, on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail in Castleton.
Detectives have received more than 200 tips from the public since the homicide occurred and have been interviewing potential witnesses, nearby residents and people who were on the trail around the time of the shooting, among other individuals. On Monday, members of the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team and Crime Scene Search Team canvassed the rail trail in search of any additional evidence that might be relevant to the investigation. The section of trail remains closed to the public as the investigation continues.
Tips from the public remain a crucial component of this case, and the state police continues to ask that anyone with information that could possibly be related to this case call VSP’s Rutland Barracks at 802-773-9101. Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was on the trail between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct.5. People also may submit a tip anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Vermont State Police also has been working with outside agencies, including the Castleton Police Department, Fair Haven Police Department, game wardens from the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, and New England K9 Search and Rescue.
VSP thanks area residents and the public for their patience, cooperation and understanding throughout this ongoing investigation.
State police will hold a media availability at 4:15 p.m. Monday at the Castleton Police Department for those who need this information on camera.
No additional details are available at this time. VSP will continue to provide updates throughout the investigation.
Witnesses on the Rail trail describe the person of interest as a white male having short RED hair, not dark hair as reported earlier, approximately 5’10”, last seen wearing a dark gray t-shirt, and carrying a black backpack. Anyone on the rail trail around this time who may have observed the male are asked to call the Vermont State Police.
Honoree Fleming entered the Rail Trail on Thursday around 4:00 p.m. from the pavilion area at Castleton College, she walked south (towards Poultney). Honoree was wearing a white and blue striped shirt, black pants, and black sneakers. Anyone who saw Honoree walking is asked to contact the Vermont State Police.
Fleming was found deceased at 4:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the Chief Medical Examiner later determined the cause of her death was gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death homicide.
The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. The public is urged to remain vigilant and alert for suspicious person(s) and activities and to report anything suspicious to the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101. Tips also may be submitted anonymously online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Vermont State Police also is requesting the public and businesses in the Castleton area to review their surveillance systems and game cameras for the possible suspect from early afternoon to evening hours of October 5.
This investigation is on-going and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search Team, Victim Services Unit and Castleton Police Department.
Categories: Crime, Press Release
Hate to be gruesome but was the shot Close-up and was she under the control of the killer ; shot from behind, never saw it coming ; was there one shot only? there is so little info here…how is the public to know if this appears to be a targeted shooting from a person who could repeat …or a random killer who could strike again
Bright red hair; dark red hair???otherwise the description fits a whole lot of the male population
Such a senseless and terrible loss. Is this what Vermont has become? Is this what we are willing to accept? How devastating for her family….for all of us.