Police identify officer and victim involved in Williston shooting

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Vermont State Police have identified the people involved in Thursday’s police shooting in Williston.

Officer Ethan Favreau joined the Williston Police Department in Sept. 2019, after having previously served with the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office. Photo provided by Vermont State Police

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Officer Ethan Favreau of the Williston Police Department shot and injured Michael McGovern, 52, of St. George, Thursday morning, a VSP press release Friday said. No charges have been filed, and no one is in custody.

Vermont State Police’s initial investigation found that the shooting occurred around 4:50 a.m. along Route 2A where officers were responding to a road hazard.

McGovern approached the hazard, but further details “remain under investigation,” Maj. Ashley Barnes, commander of the state police criminal division, told reporters at a press conference Thursday.

Both Favreau and McGovern were seen at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. McGovern was treated for a gunshot wound to the hip, and Favreau was “evaluated for a minor injury.” Both were discharged, a Thursday afternoon release said.

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Another Williston officer — who has not been identified — was on the scene, but did not fire a weapon. Favreau has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Police identify officer and victim involved in Williston shooting.