Update No. 2: VSP to hold media availability regarding shooting of St. Johnsbury police officer

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

Vermont State Police to hold media availability regarding shooting of St. Johnsbury police officer

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vermont (Friday, Dec. 13, 2024) — The Vermont State Police will hold a brief media availability to discuss the continuing search for a suspect in the Friday afternoon shooting of a police officer in St. Johnsbury.

Maj. David Petersen, commander of the Field Force Division, and Maj. Shawn Loan, commander of the Criminal Division, will provide a statement at 10:15 p.m. at VSP’s barracks in St. Johnsbury, located at 1068 U.S. Route 5.

The search for 38-year-old Scott Mason remains active and ongoing. The injured officer continues to receive treatment at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

***Update No. 1, 7:05 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024***

The Vermont State Police is seeking a suspect in connection with the shooting late Friday afternoon of a St. Johnsbury Police Department officer.

The suspect is identified as Scott Mason, 38, a resident of a second-floor apartment at 261 Portland St. in St. Johnsbury. Members of the public should consider Mason to be potentially armed and dangerous. If someone sees Mason, they should not approach him and instead immediately call 911.

Mason is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 220 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. A photograph of Mason is attached to this release.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Friday when St. Johnsbury police responded to a report of a domestic-violence incident at Mason’s apartment. Upon arrival, a St. Johnsbury police officer was shot at least one time and wounded. He was transported by helicopter to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, for treatment. His condition and the extent of his injuries are currently unknown.

VSP will continue to provide information about this investigation as soon as additional information is available.

***Initial news release, 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024***

The Vermont State Police and other law-enforcement agencies are responding to an active scene on Portland Street in St. Johnsbury.

An incident was reported at 261 Portland St. shortly after 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. The incident is contained to this location. Members of the public will see a significant police presence and should avoid the area.

No additional information is available at this time. The Vermont Police will provide updates as the situation unfolds.

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