By Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First

A 21-year-old Essex Junction woman is facing a charge of reckless endangerment after she reportedly fired a gunshot near the corner of College and Center Streets early Sunday morning, Burlington Police said.

Haily B. Peacock had been downtown drinking with a male companion when they prepared to call for a rideshare about 1:45 a.m., Burlington Police said.

City Officers on foot patrol of Church Street heard a single gunshot ring out from the area of Center Street and responded to the location, Interim Police Chief Shawn P. Burke said.

Officers located two involved people, including Peacock, in the area, police said.

Investigation by Officer Kegan Philbrick said Peacock reported she wanted to ensure that the firearm she was carrying in her purse was safe, police said.

When Peacock pulled it from her purse she accidentally fired the gun as she was attempting to determine whether it was loaded, police said.

Officers located ballistic evidence consistent with her statement, the chief said.

The news release did not say what the bullet hit or the type of gun used.

Peacock was arrested and transported to police headquarters, police said.

She was later released by the Court pending arraignment in Vermont Superior Court on Tuesday on the reckless endangerment charge, police said.

Among her conditions of release by the court is a prohibition against possessing any firearms pending her arraignment.

The shooting is the latest in a series of substantial crimes in a 36-hour period that Burlington Police have made public.

The crime spree has included a homicide of a young man behind Courthouse Plaza on Main Street; a shooting at Church and King Streets; a stabbing near St. Paul and Bank Streets; and the assault of a bicyclist on the Bike Path near North Beach by three juveniles with a knife that was used to slash the man’s tires.

The crimes come in the wake of Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announcing “Burlington is Back” during a June 22 press conference on the Church Street Marketplace.

The Mayor tried to highlight local economic progress, community safety improvements, and a vibrant lineup of summer events, but the ongoing crime rate and the need for Gov. Phil Scott to send in the Vermont State Police to help provide peace has raised doubts by some if “Burlington is Back.”

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