by Guy Page
Video released Monday afternoon, January 15 by the Burlington Police Department shows an attempted murder, with a car as the murder weapon, at the corner of Church and Main streets.
Hamza Velic, 18, of South Burlington was arrested January 12 for first-degree murder.
Thursday, January 11, at about 2:07 AM, BPD dispatchers received a call stating an individual had been hit by a car. Officers responded and contacted the victim, who was transported to the hospital and treated for his injuries. He is not currently hospitalized.
Police say a dark-colored vehicle followed the victim in the vicinity of downtown. The vehicle’s operator made multiple apparent attempts to strike the victim with the vehicle. Eventually the vehicle crossed onto the sidewalk and accelerated into the victim at the intersection of Church Street and Main Street, sending the victim into the air. The vehicle then drove away.
The victim was injured and stunned. After a few moments the victim rose and entered the empty roadway to retrieve items that had been dispersed by the impact. At that point the suspect vehicle returned and, at a high rate of speed,
clipped the victim a second time in the street. The victim fled to the sidewalk. The vehicle returned again and made another, unsuccessful attempt to strike the victim on the sidewalk before fleeing.
On Friday, January 12, BPD officers located the vehicle and arrested Hamza Velic, 18, of South Burlington. Velic was taken into custody and interviewed by investigators. The arresting detective
recommended a charge of first-degree attempted murder owing to the manner in which the suspect allegedly stalked the victim across multiple locations and a span of time, and willfully and deliberately
struck the victim with his vehicle more than once.
A judge ordered the suspect held on $5,000 bail. Mr. Velic is expected to be arraigned on the morning of Tuesday, January 16.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department.