State police say a dispute tied to a domestic relationship ended in gunfire early Sunday at a home in Barre, leaving a 55-year-old man critically injured and a 41-year-old Waitsfield resident facing multiple felony counts.
Arrest after early-morning shooting
Authorities responded to a report of a shooting at about 3:30 a.m. when a 55-year-old Barre man called 911 to report he had been shot, identifying the suspect as Joshua Brackett, 41, of Waitsfield. Emergency crews from Barre Town Ambulance transported the victim to Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin; he was later transferred to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, where his condition was described as critical but stable Sunday afternoon.
Vermont State Police located Brackett at a residence in Waitsfield and took him into custody. He was lodged without bail at the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury pending his arraignment.
Charges and court timeline
Brackett faces a string of charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary into an occupied dwelling, reckless endangerment and violating conditions of release. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Barre.
Investigators said their preliminary work indicates the shooting stemmed from an argument between Brackett and the victim over a relationship involving another person. Police have not released additional details about the parties involved or the nature of the dispute.
Investigative steps and public appeals
State police said they will file an affidavit of probable cause with the court, which will become public after the arraignment. Troopers are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Berlin barracks at 802-229-9191 or to submit an anonymous tip online.
- Time of incident: approximately 3:30 a.m.
- Initial location: home on East Cobble Hill Road, Barre
- Victim: 55-year-old man from Barre — treated at UVM Medical Center
- Suspect: Joshua Brackett, 41, of Waitsfield — jailed without bail
Charges at a glance
| Charge | Description (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Attempted first-degree murder | Allegation that the defendant intentionally tried to kill the victim |
| Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon | Use of a weapon during the assault |
| Burglary into an occupied dwelling | Entering a residence where people were present |
| Reckless endangerment | Conduct creating substantial risk of serious physical injury |
| Violating conditions of release | Alleged breach of preexisting court-ordered conditions |
Local context and public safety implications
Shooting incidents in central Vermont remain uncommon, and the charging of an individual with attempted first-degree murder underscores the seriousness with which state troopers and prosecutors are treating the case. The involvement of an alleged dispute tied to a personal relationship highlights how domestic-related conflicts can escalate into violent outcomes.
Members of the community seeking more information should monitor filings in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Barre, where the affidavit that lays out investigators' probable-cause findings will be made public after the arraignment.
How residents can help
Police asked anyone who may have witnessed the events surrounding the shooting, or who has video or other information that could assist investigators, to contact the Vermont State Police in Berlin at 802-229-9191. The department also accepts anonymous tips through its online submission system.
The investigation remains active. No further details about motive, relationship between the parties, or the precise sequence of events were released Sunday pending additional inquiry and the filing of court documents.
This report is based on information released by Vermont State Police and local emergency responders.
