A Vermont State Police trooper who hit a Quechee man with buckshot in May has been cleared by the Vermont Attorney General.
No charges will be filed against Trooper Eric Vitali, who shot 19-year-old James Luce after he pointed a shotgun at Vitali and another trooper. The police officers were responding to a report of domestic violence involving Luce when they encountered him on the side of the road and ordered him to step away from a shotgun he had placed on the ground.
Attorney General TJ Donovan announced Thursday that his office determined it was “reasonable and justified” for Vitali to use deadly force. An investigation concluded the officers believed they were in “imminent danger” of being killed or injured when Luce allegedly grabbed the shotgun he’d placed on the ground and turned in the direction of the officers.
Luce received minor injuries in the form of scratches and welts to his leg and midsection when hit with the buckshot Vitali fired. Luce pleaded innocent to six charges, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
Earlier this week, Luce reached a plea agreement with prosecutors where he will not serve any jail time, according to the Valley News.
According to authorities, the May 5 incident began when Luce allegedly assaulted a female at a home in Hartford and fired a shot at the house afterward. Then, police said Luce fled into the woods with the gun. When confronted by police, he put down the weapon but would not move away from it. According to the Attorney General’s Office, Luce then “suddenly grabbed the shotgun, turning towards” Vitali and Trooper Stacy Corliss, at which point Vitali fired.
Luce was taken into custody after police subdued him with a Taser. He was examined at the scene by paramedics and later at Mount Ascutney hospital. Hartford and Lebanon, New Hampshire, police also responded to the incident.
Vitali was placed on paid leave during the investigation.
