A Bennington teenager who was shot during an altercation over the weekend is now facing an attempted murder charge.
Marcus Lorensen, 18, is accused of trying to stab his mother’s boyfriend, Dennis Burnell Sr., with a knife during an argument that started at their home on Saturday night.
According to court documents, Burnell, 47, went outside their Pleasant Street apartment after arguing with Lorensen and his mother. Burnell was speaking with two neighbors when, police said, Lorensen ran toward the trio with a folding buck knife.
A neighbor identified as Joseph Botz told Bennington police he asked Lorensen if he was going to stab him, and Lorensen said “yes,” so Botz shot him from 4 feet away.
Afterward, Burnell reportedly fled to a nearby apartment building and Lorensen chased him with the knife, stabbing at the building door while trying to reach Burnell.
Investigators said Botz had shot Lorensen once with a .22-caliber pistol in the upper left side of his chest, causing a relatively minor wound. The teenager was taken to Albany Medical Center for treatment and was discharged a few hours later.
Botz was arrested on Saturday night but was released while Bennington police said they continued to investigate the incident. On Monday, the prosecutor, Bennington County Deputy State’s Attorney Alex Burke, confirmed that Botz was not facing any criminal charges.
In addition to attempted murder, Lorensen is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon against Burnell, as well as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against Botz. He pleaded not guilty Monday in Bennington Superior criminal court.
Lorensen’s mother, Jammi Lorensen, told police her son had stood up for her after Burnell and his daughter threatened to kill him.
Burnell’s daughter, on the other hand, said she was trying to calm down an argument between her father and Jammi Lorensen when Marcus Lorensen punched her in the face then went to grab a knife.
During an interview, police said Lorensen denied threatening anyone with a knife. He also said a man had shot him for no reason.
Judge Cortland Corsones ordered Lorensen held without bail until a hearing can be held on his detention status while awaiting trial. He was being held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility in Rutland.
Lorensen’s most serious charge, attempted second-degree murder, is punishable by up to life in prison. One of his assault charges carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years; the other, five years.