The second suspect involved in a shooting at a downtown Burlington apartment on April 29 was arrested in North Carolina last week, Burlington Police said Monday.
Fortune Smith, 22, has yet to be extradited back to Vermont, according to a press release. His brother, 19-year-old Tyrin Smith, was arrested last week and charged with attempted murder and burglary. Tyrin Smith pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Chittenden County Superior criminal court on May 9.
According to a police affidavit filed in Tyrin Smith’s case last week, he and Fortune Smith, wearing ski masks, goggles and gloves, entered an apartment at 165 Main St. on April 29 looking for someone they had exchanged “threatening” messages with. They allegedly used fire escapes and crossed a roof to enter a hallway from an outside window. After failing to enter the apartment through a door, the two apparently broke through a wall and Tyrin Smith allegedly shot Aquill Nickson in the chest, who police said was not the person the Smiths were initially looking for.
Nickson was taken to The University of Vermont Medical Center for his injuries. Burlington Police later said he was in stable condition. Police arrested Nickson on drug charges.
Tyrin Smith was arrested on May 8 in Burlington along with a 17-year-old female, who was arrested for accessory after the fact. Tyrin Smith was ordered to be held without bail following his arraignment and remains at Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.