BURLINGTON — City police are working to identify the two suspects who broke into Steven Martin’s North Avenue residence and engaged in a gunfight with Martin that left him dead Sunday night.
Deputy Police Chief Jon Murad said in a Tuesday afternoon press release that the department was analyzing evidence, investigating leads and building a case around the Sunday night homicide.
“This remains an active investigation, but BPD can report that evidence currently suggests a gunfight at the location, with rounds discharged by the victim and the two suspects,” Murad said. “As previously reported, it is believed that the victims and the suspects were known to one another.”
The department is working with the Vermont State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on the investigation. Police ask those with information to call the department at 802-658-2704.
Martin, 38, was pronounced dead at the University of Vermont Medical Center shortly after the shooting, which occurred around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night at 126 North Ave.
Police heard from a caller who said that two men had pushed their way into the residence and that they heard multiple gunshots.
The homicide was discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting.
Councilor Ali Dieng, I-Ward 7, said he was concerned about gun violence in the Old North End.
“It is starting to become something very alarming, and I think it is also in one specific part of the city,” he said. “This is growing, and it’s starting to become challenging, especially at this time.”
Earlier this month, Joshua Brissette, 35, was arrested and accused of shooting his ex-wife and attempting to shoot her current husband on North Union Street. His ex-wife survived the April 13 shooting, and Brissette pleaded not guilty to related charges.
Councilor Brian Pine, P-Ward 3, said that the shooting hit close to home as it occurred in his neighborhood. He said that the family was home during the shooting.
“It’s an extremely upsetting and tragic outcome for the family for sure, and for our community,” he said.
Pine said the city is facing challenges with gun violence and related issue, including untreated substance use disorder, untreated mental health challenges and generational poverty.
“We as a community have a lot of tough conversations ahead of us,” he said. “We have a very limited number of tools available to us to address the issue of gun violence.”
