The senseless murder of a beloved retired Vermont State University dean devastated everyone who knew her, especially her family.
Police are searching the area for the gunman.
Dr. Honoree Fleming, 77, was fatally shot during a walk Thursday afternoon along the D&H Rail Trail, about a mile from the Castleton campus.
“The killer shot him one shot, possibly two, in the side of the head and walked away. She died instantly,” her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband, Ron Powers, wrote on Facebook.
“Those who knew her know she had a beautiful name. I have never known a nobler heart and soul than hers. “She has taken with her much more than half of my heart and soul.”
A witness described the suspect as a white man, about 5′10″, with dark hair and wearing a dark gray t-shirt and a black backpack, Vermont State Police said.
At this point, that’s all the information police have to work with as they search the area with K-9 Units.
“Police believe it was random, but all possibilities remain open,” Powers wrote in his Facebook post.
The university said Fleming “was a beloved dean and professor at Castleton and an impressive researcher with countless published papers,” in a statement released Friday.
“The killer shot him one shot, possibly two, in the side of the head and walked away. She died instantly,” her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband, Ron Powers, wrote on Facebook. Ron Powers/Facebook
“Our hearts go out to the members of our community who taught with Honoree and counted her as a beloved teacher during her time in Castleton,” said Vermont State President Mike Smith.
“Our deepest condolences to her husband, Ron, her family and friends. This is an incredible tragedy for the Castleton campus and for all of Vermont State University. “The honoree will be deeply missed.”
State police are asking everyone in the area to be on the lookout for any surveillance, such as doorbell cameras.
Even if you don’t see anything, don’t delete images from Thursday (October 5), especially from late afternoon to early evening.
“Vermont State Police are also asking the public and businesses in the Castleton area to check their surveillance systems and game cameras for the possible suspect from the early afternoon through the evening of October 5,” state police said.
State police are asking everyone in the area to be on the lookout for any surveillance, such as doorbell cameras. Even if you don’t see anything, don’t delete images from Thursday (October 5), especially from late afternoon to early evening. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Anyone with tips is asked to call state police at 802-773-9101 or submit them anonymously at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Facebook page for Vermont State University’s Castleton campus said, “Dozens of students benefited from Dr. Fleming’s teachings and research.”
“The honoree was part of the Castleton family and loved by faculty, staff and students,” the university said in the Facebook post. “Our hearts go out to the members of our community who taught with Honoree and counted her as a beloved teacher during her time at Castleton.”
The comments section below the post is filled with loving memories and tributes to Fleming.
Shattered sense of security
Fleming’s death sent shockwaves through the campus, even before they knew Fleming was the victim.
Police responded to a 911 call and found Fleming’s body around 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Rail Trail near 1660 South St., which is about a mile away from campus.
Students were alerted to shelter in place as residents’ and students’ sense of safety was shattered during the seemingly random shooting.
“How are we, as students, supposed to feel safe? This is absolutely heartbreaking,” one VSU student posted on Facebook. “She was such a wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. It is necessary to find this sob.”
One local mother wrote on Facebook: “Definitely feeling a little uncomfortable tonight considering the train track is right behind our house.”
The Vermont State University Castleton Campus Facebook page said, “Dozens of students benefited from Dr. Fleming’s teachings and research.” Ron Powers/Facebook
As of Saturday morning there were no updates on the case. Law enforcement is still searching for the gunman.
“This investigation is ongoing and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crimes Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search Team, Victim Services and the Castleton Police Department,” state police said in a statement.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn