Protesters: Veteran shoots self at Vt. encampment
A 35-year-old military veteran apparently shot himself Thursday at an Occupy Wall Street encampment in Vermont’s largest city, fellow protesters said. Police said he was gravely wounded but would not say whether it was a suicide attempt.
Deputy Chief Andi Higbee said the public was not believed to be at risk after the 2 p.m. shooting at City Hall Park in Burlington.
People who knew the victim in the encampment said they were sure the man, who said he was a veteran, had shot himself.
“This person has clearly needed more help than we were capable of giving him here at this park,” said Emily Reynolds, a University of Vermont student and a leader in the local Occupy movement.
If government provided better mental health services, she said, “this probably wouldn’t have happened.”
The shooting took place in or near a tent at the encampment. Higbee said police were trying to notify the man’s family. He is believed to be from the Burlington area.
Higbee told reporters in the park it could be several hours before the protesters were allowed to return to their tent and that the shooting made him question whether the protest would be allowed to continue.