UPDATE: Milton Officer Wounded in Ambush, Suspect Dead After Standoff Following Structure Fire
MILTON, VT — A quiet Wednesday evening in Milton was shattered by violence after an armed ambush during a structure fire left a veteran police officer wounded and ended with the death of the suspected gunman, Aaron LaRoche, 38, of Milton.
Authorities say LaRoche opened fire on first responders just after 7:00 p.m. as they arrived at a reported residential fire at 78 Main Street. What began as a standard emergency response quickly escalated into a violent and chaotic situation that placed both civilians and first responders at risk.
Sergeant Paul Locke, a seasoned officer with the Milton Police Department, was critically injured in the shooting. Initial accounts indicate he was shot from behind, despite wearing a bullet-resistant vest, and also sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. He was rushed by Milton Rescue, under police escort, to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, where he remains under treatment. Officials have described his injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
For nearly four tense hours after the initial shots were fired, LaRoche remained barricaded inside the burning home. Emergency crews, including tactical teams and mental health crisis negotiators, attempted to make contact with him. However, around 11:00 p.m., LaRoche was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing the standoff to a grim end.
A History of Disturbing Behavior
LaRoche was known to local authorities, with a documented history of mental health issues, erratic behavior, and disturbing online activity. According to officials, he had made multiple threatening posts on social media in recent months, including direct mentions of the Milton Police Department and Vermont State Police. Some posts reportedly referenced hearing voices, feeling he was under mind control, and suggested a growing hostility toward law enforcement.
Community members had expressed concern in the weeks leading up to the shooting, flagging LaRoche’s alarming online behavior to authorities. Despite these warnings, officials say there were no legal grounds to detain him at the time.
“This tragic incident underscores the very real risks our first responders face every day,” said Milton Police Chief Susan Pratt in a press conference Thursday morning. “Sgt. Locke acted with incredible bravery under sudden, life-threatening circumstances. Our department is thankful that he is alive and receiving the care he needs.”
Investigation Underway
The Vermont State Police has taken over the investigation into the shooting, working in coordination with the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney. Forensic teams remained on the scene into the early morning hours, collecting evidence from the fire-damaged home and surrounding area.
Officials have not released a motive, but say the investigation will examine LaRoche’s mental health history, his recent behavior, and whether earlier intervention might have prevented the tragedy.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger systems of care for individuals in crisis,” said Governor Phil Scott in a statement. “We must find better ways to protect both our citizens and our first responders.”
Community Reaction
News of the shooting has sent shockwaves through the town of Milton, a small, tight-knit community unaccustomed to such violence. A vigil is being planned for Sgt. Locke, and local leaders are encouraging residents to support one another during what they describe as a deeply traumatic event.
The Milton Police Department, alongside the Vermont State Police Victim Services Unit, is providing support for Sgt. Locke’s family and fellow officers.
Anyone with information related to the incident or LaRoche’s recent activities is urged to contact Vermont State Police as the investigation continues.
This incident, rooted in both violence and mental illness, serves as a painful reminder of the complexity of modern policing and the fragility of public safety in moments of crisis. Authorities continue to investigate how such a tragedy unfolded—and how to prevent future acts like it.