[B]URLINGTON — Burlington police have arrested a man who allegedly fired a gun during a fight in Roosevelt Park in the Old North End early Saturday morning.
Police say Chadd Quirk, 22, of Burlington fired a single round into the air around 3 a.m. Saturday at the park. Police responded after receiving calls from neighbors who reported a large group of people in Roosevelt Park with some people fighting and a possible gunshot.
“Officers also conducted interviews with witnesses, who advised that two women had been fighting, surrounded by a group contributing to the general disorder,” deputy chief Jon Murad wrote in the department’s press release about the incident.
The two women who allegedly met in the park for the fight were identified as Aubrie Cora and Paris Laplant, both 20, police say.
“At some point during the altercation, Ms. Laplant attempted to withdraw and had retreated to a vehicle belonging to a man later identified as Chadd A. Quirk, 22, of Burlington,” Murad wrote. “Mr. Quirk allegedly fired a single round into the air from the driver’s seat window and he, Ms. Laplant, and another female then fled.”
Police located Quirk’s car at Laplant’s residence in South Burlington, arrested Quirk and recovered a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm.
Quirk is being charged with reckless endangerment.
The release notes that Quirk has faced 11 charges but has never been convicted, and has been involved in “dozens of recorded police incidents as an arrestee and person of interest.”
Murad said he was proud of the officers’ response to the incident.
“Gunfire in our city is not only against the law, it is unacceptable to us and to the neighbors we serve,” he said. “People willing to pull a trigger in Burlington are fortunately rare, but those who do are dangerous and should be treated accordingly.”
Police are seeking more information about the fight that lead to the gunshot, and those with knowledge of the incident should call 802-658-2271.
