A Waltham woman died by rounds fired from her own gun Friday night, September 15 after she dropped the gun during an alteraction. A juvenile picked up the gun and shot her to death, state police say.
State police say the victim was Michelle Kilbreth, 48, a resident of McKnight Lane. An autopsy was completed Saturday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The medical examiner determined the cause of her death was gunshot wounds to the torso, and the manner of death is a homicide.
According to evidence and witness statements, the situation unfolded when Kilbreth got into a physical altercation with another woman who also lived in the Addison County neighborhood. Kilbreth had a handgun in her possession. At some point, Kilbreth lost possession of the gun, and a juvenile picked up the weapon and fired it, striking Kilbreth multiple times.
The juvenile is not being identified due to his age. In Vermont, people as old as 19 may be considered a juvenile for criminal prosecution purposes.
No charges have been filed. The Vermont State Police is working closely with the Addison County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout this ongoing investigation. The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team completed its work at McKnight Lane on Saturday. The Vergennes Police Department also provided assistance during the investigation.
McKnight Lane is a modular home development that, announced as a climate-friendly, affordable housing alternative, has been in the news for allegedly defective manufacturing. Kilbreth was profiled in a 2019 Seven Days news article as a ‘Good Samaritan’ who helped a reporter change her flat tire.
VSP continues to ask that anyone with information that could assist investigators call the New Haven Barracks at 802-388-4919.
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