by Timothy Page, from information released by Vermont State Police
A Rhode Island man, Brenden Sackal, 30, of Hopkinton, is facing over a dozen charges, including attempted aggravated murder, following a shootout on Vermont Route 114 in Burke on Sunday, July 14. If convicted, Sackal could face a mandatory life sentence without parole.
A judge in Caledonia County issued an arrest warrant for Sackal on Tuesday afternoon. The charges include three counts of attempted aggravated murder and three counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, linked to Sackal shooting at three Vermont State Police troopers. Additionally, Sackal faces two counts of aggravated assault with a weapon for driving his pickup truck into two state police cruisers, grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude law enforcement, and seven counts of possessing a large-capacity ammunition feeding device.
Sackal is currently in critical but stable condition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was shot multiple times by Vermont State Police troopers after he fired at them following a crash during his attempted arrest.
The Vermont State Police, in collaboration with the Caledonia County State’s Attorney’s Office, continues to investigate the incident. Sackal is expected to be extradited to Vermont once he is released from medical care.
The Vermont State Police has identified the two troopers who fired their weapons during the incident as Sgt. Joshua Mikkola and Trooper Richard Berlandy, both from the Derby Barracks. Sgt. Mikkola has been with the state police since 2016 and was promoted to sergeant in 2021, while Trooper Berlandy joined in 2019. Both have been placed on paid relief-from-duty status, a standard procedure following a critical incident.
The situation began on Sunday evening when Rhode Island police informed authorities in northern New Hampshire and Vermont that Sackal was believed to be in the area and was wanted on charges related to illegal high-capacity firearm magazines. Sackal had evaded capture during a search at his home on July 12.
Sackal was spotted by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, who initiated a traffic stop. Sackal briefly stopped before fleeing, leading agents on a chase through Stewartstown, New Hampshire, and into Canaan, Vermont. U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed a tire-deflation device on Sackal’s truck near the Canadian border, forcing him to continue driving on flat tires and rims.
Vermont state troopers joined the pursuit in Morgan and followed Sackal with lights and sirens activated. In Burke, Sackal collided with two VSP cruisers, lost control, and came to a stop near Pinkham Road. During the arrest attempt, Sackal fired at the troopers, who returned fire, injuring him. Sackal was taken into custody and received first aid from the troopers until rescue crews arrived. No troopers or other individuals were injured in the exchange.
The Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be reviewed by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant county’s State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Vermont State Police will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is encouraged to contact the state police barracks in Derby or submit an anonymous tip online.