Updated Nov. 16, at 7:05 a.m.
MONTPELIER — Two people are dead and a third in custody following an incident in Montpelier early Friday morning, according to Vermont State Police.
In a press release issued that night, state police said they had arrested Matthew Gomes, 29, of Montpelier, in the deaths of two adult relatives who lived with him on Gallison Hill Road. He faces an aggravated murder charge and was held without bail.
Police said they believe Gomes “attacked and killed the victims” early Friday morning and, around 11:30 a.m. that day, called 911 to say that he had harmed them, requesting an ambulance and police.
First responders found Gomes’ relatives dead at the scene.
In an earlier press release Friday, police wrote, “Everyone involved in this incident is believed to be accounted for, and there is no identified threat to the community.”
Authorities did identify the victims on Friday. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington was expected to confirm their identities and determine a cause and manner of death.
Neighbors reported seeing more than a dozen police vehicles gathered at the scene early Friday afternoon.
Later in the afternoon, Montpelier police cruisers were parked blocking two separate entrances to the property. Yellow crime scene tape was attached to trees lining the property.
The property sits less than a half-mile from U-32 Middle & High School and about a quarter-mile from a trailhead on Gallison Hill Road.
Montpelier Deputy Police Chief Kevin Moulton, who was at the scene Friday afternoon, said he could not comment at that time other than to say that there was no danger to the public.
