Incident in Burlington, Vermont prompts arrest and charges
Police in Burlington, Vermont say a man is in custody after a city firefighter was threatened with a knife during an intervention on North Avenue near Gosse Court on Friday evening. Authorities report the firefighter had witnessed an alleged assault on a woman who was walking with children and was confronted by the suspect when stepping in. This incident occurred in the State of Vermont and is not connected to any fire or police response in Burlington, Ontario.
According to Burlington, Vt. police, the confrontation happened just before 7:30 p.m. The firefighter, who had observed the alleged assault, was threatened with what officers later described as a large hunting knife. A passing motorist stopped and helped hold the man until officers arrived. Police identified the suspect as Wayne Butchino III, 29, and say he resisted arrest before being taken into custody.
Police said the man threatened a Burlington firefighter with a knife after the firefighter intervened in an alleged assault.
Officers recovered a large knife at the scene. The man faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault in the presence of a child, and resisting arrest. He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, police said.
Clarifying the location for Burlington, Ontario readers
This case unfolded in Burlington, Vt., a U.S. city that shares our name. The incident does not involve Burlington, Ontario’s fire department, Halton Regional Police, or local emergency services. Because news alerts sometimes omit the state or province, residents in our community may see headlines referencing “Burlington” and assume a local connection. In this case, all events and law-enforcement actions were under the jurisdiction of Vermont authorities.
Domestic-violence responses and firefighter safety protocols can vary by jurisdiction, but the core facts here are specific to Vermont: a firefighter intervened after witnessing an alleged assault, a suspect allegedly threatened the firefighter with a knife, and a passerby assisted until officers arrived. Burlington, Vt. police noted the recovery of a hunting knife and alleged resistance during the arrest.
What we know from police
- Location: North Avenue near Gosse Court, Burlington, Vermont.
- Time: Just before 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
- Suspect: Wayne Butchino III, 29.
- Allegations: Threatening a firefighter with a knife after the firefighter intervened in an alleged domestic assault involving a woman and children.
- Items recovered: Large hunting knife.
- Charges: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault in the presence of a child, resisting arrest.
- Court status: Held without bail; arraignment Monday.
Charges and custody status
| Charge | Details |
|---|---|
| Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon | Alleged threat against a firefighter using a knife |
| Domestic assault in the presence of a child | Alleged assault witnessed by children |
| Resisting arrest | Alleged resistance during arrest |
| Custody | Ordered held without bail; arraignment set for Monday |
Resources and reporting
Police in Vermont pointed to the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Assault for support, reachable at 802-228-7395. In Burlington, Ontario, anyone witnessing violence or an immediate threat should call 911. For non-emergency concerns within Halton Region, residents should use the appropriate non-urgent lines for police or community services.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor updates from Burlington, Vermont authorities on the court appearance. No information in this report pertains to operations or incidents within Burlington, Ontario.
