The senseless murder of the beloved retired dean of Vermont State University has devastated everyone who knew him, especially his family.
Police are canvassing the area for the gunman.
Dr. Honoree Fleming, 77, was fatally shot while walking late Thursday afternoon on the D&H Rail Trail, about a mile from the Castleton campus.
“The killer fired one shot—maybe two—into the side of his head and walked away. She died instantly,” her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband, Ron Powers, wrote on Facebook.
“Those of you who know him know that he was given a beautiful name. I have never known a better heart and soul than her. He has taken more than half of my own heart and soul with him.”
A witness described the suspect as a white male, 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 go on as they search the area with a K-9 Unit.
“Police believe it was random, but all possibilities remain open,” Powers wrote in his Facebook post.
The university said that Fleming “was a beloved dean and professor at Castleton and an impressive researcher with numerous published papers,” in a statement released Friday.
“The killer fired one shot—maybe two—into the side of his 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 made her a beloved teacher during her time at Castleton,” said Vermont State President Mike Smith.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to her husband, Ron, his family and friends. This is an unbelievable tragedy for the Castleton campus and for all of Vermont State University. Dear will be greatly missed.”
State police are asking everyone in the area to look for any surveillance, such as doorbell cameras.
Even if you don’t see anything, don’t delete the footage from Thursday (Oct. 5), especially in the 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 possible suspects from the early evening to the evening of October 5,” state police said.
State police are asking everyone in the area to look for any surveillance, such as doorbell cameras. Even if you don’t see anything, don’t delete the footage from Thursday (Oct. 5), especially in the late afternoon to early evening. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Anyone with a tip is urged to call state police at 802-773-9101 or submit it anonymously to https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The Vermont State University Castleton Campus Facebook page says, “Many students have benefited from Dr. Fleming’s teaching and research.”
“Honoree is part of the Castleton family and is loved by faculty, staff and students,” the university said in a Facebook post. “Our hearts go out to the members of our community who taught with Honoree and made her a beloved teacher during their time at Castleton.”
The comments section below the post was filled with memories and loving tributes to Fleming.
Destroy the sense of security
Fleming’s death sent shockwaves across 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 the Railroad near 1660 South St., which is about a mile from campus.
Students received warnings to shelter in place, as residents’ and students’ sense of security was shattered during the seemingly random shooting.
“How are we as students supposed to feel safe? This is really heartbreaking,” a VSU student posted on Facebook. “She is a wonderful woman. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. This sigh needs to be found.”
A mother in the area wrote on Facebook, “Definitely feeling a little nervous tonight since the train line is right behind our house.”
The Vermont State University Castleton Campus Facebook page says, “Many students have benefited from Dr. Fleming’s teaching and research.”Ron Powers/Facebook
As of Saturday morning, there was no update on the case. Law enforcement agencies are still looking for the gunman.
“This investigation is ongoing and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crimes Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Investigation Team, Victim Services Unit and the Castleton Police Department,” state police said in a statement.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
