[B]URLINGTON — Burlington Police are investigating a Tuesday afternoon shooting in the city’s Old North End that left a 23-year-old man dead.
Benzell Hampton, 23, was shot in the head and and killed at approximately 2:45 this afternoon, according to the city’s police chief, Brandon del Pozo, who said he believed the dispute was related to narcotics.
The man who allegedly shot Hampton was also struck by gunfire, believed to be from Hampton, and has been sent to UVM Medical Center for treatment, according to police.
Del Pozo called the incident a “shootout” in an email to the press Tuesday.
A Nissan Pathfinder affiliated with the incident was towed from Colchester Avenue between University Place and Mansfield Avenue shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Traffic was stopped from University Place to Mansfield Avenue as the car was parked in the middle of the road.
Del Pozo said the vehicle was related to the incident though none of the violence occurred at that location, adjacent to the University of Vermont’s campus. In an email update, he said the vehicle was being used to transport the suspect who survived to the hospital.
The shooting occurred on North Willard Street between Pomeroy Street and Archibald Street. Police were interviewing witnesses, entering and exiting several houses, and had blocked off traffic Tuesday afternoon.
Del Pozo said crack cocaine was found on Hampton’s body after he died. “The motive appears to be narcotics-related at this time,” he said.
This story will be updated.
