Updated at 6:48 p.m.
An innocent bystander was seriously injured early Monday after a man fired two gunshots into a crowd on Main Street in Burlington shortly after bars closed for the night, according to police.
Officers on patrol just after 2 a.m. heard the shots and caught 37-year-old Rashad Nashid not far from the shooting scene outside of Nectar’s, police said in a statement. Nashid, a convicted felon, was allegedly intoxicated and armed with a .38-caliber Ruger pistol when a Burlington police sergeant arrested him on South Winooski Street.
“The chief of police would like to commend the sergeant for his bravery and restraint in confronting an armed, intoxicated suspect in the direct aftermath of a shooting, and the other responding officers for safely bringing order to a dangerous and chaotic crime scene,” the department said in a statement.
Nashid was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared in federal court later Monday and was ordered held until his trial. Nashid faces up to 10 years in prison.
The 26-year-old victim was shot in the lung and is in serious condition, but she is expected to survive, according to police.
“She does not have any known ties to the suspect,” police said in a statement.
Nashid told police he’d been drinking at Nectar’s before the shooting. An “unknown male” that Nashid knew from an altercation a year earlier approached him outside of the bar, according to federal authorities.
“The defendant pulled out a gun and shot at the male in order to make the male ‘back down,'” the feds said in a statement. “The bullet instead struck an innocent bystander who happened to be standing on the sidewalk near the defendant.”
Nashid has several previous felony convictions in New Jersey, federal authorities said.
Nashid is also facing felony drug charges in Burlington and had been out of prison on conditions ahead of his trial. Cops investigating a woman’s overdose death arrested Nashid and three others in September at a Pearl Street apartment where police allegedly found 50 grams of crack cocaine, 25 grams of powdered cocaine, five grams of heroin, $5,000 cash and a loaded .357 revolver.
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I was born and raised in Burlington and we never had but a single murder in the entire 22 year period that I was growing up there; and you could feel, literally, the terror that gripped the city during that period.
This incident simply proves the decline in the way of life that has occured in Burlington, and the state, since the 60’s. I know Nectar, and how upset he would become if anyone was disorderly around his place of business. He is upset I am sure to be connected with this in any way, if, indeed he still owns the pub. This incident is crazy!
The bum who committed this stupid act needs to have the book thrown at him and spend decades in the slammer.
It makes one wonder, also, what part the progressive leanings of Burlington’s leadership has played in the decline into decadence in Burlington and the state as a whole since the 60’s. The connection is obvious to me and the Burlington area had better embrace more conservative ideals and governance or you should expect this type of nonsense to only get worse, much worse; the new pot law will NOT HELP in this regard!!!!
It is sad for me to witness this event knowing how wonderful life was growing up there.
Shaking my head–at the out-of-control gun violence in Burlington, at these comments, and at myself because (minus the jab at Senator Baruth), the first part of Mr. Moses’ comment came close to matching my own.
Yes, congrats to the police official who was courageous in successfully doing the job he signed up for and gets paid to do.
Now, let us all try to work together (ending this divisive talk) to reform our mental health and criminal justice system, starting by FUNDING as needed carefully considered government agencies. That may mean RAISING REVENUE from those who can afford to pay more (i.e. those who have seen large gains over the last decade-plus).
Turn off the polarizing media messages and inform ourselves: How do we uphold the rights of all and fully fund necessary public programs? If you don’t have a specific and constructively functional idea, be quiet and listen to the folks with experience both hired and elected to serve.
Clearly a fine young man. Perhaps the UVM students can block traffic for him or go starve themselves.
What is with all you salty commenters? From what you all say, it sounds as if the streets of Burlington are filled with heroin, debauchery, crime and vagrants. Perhaps you should compare Burlington to cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston or LA.
Also, citizen, perhaps you should take a xanax before your carotid bursts. “It might be time to bring back public hangings” – are you serious…?
What was Mr Nasid doing out of prison “on conditions”. What judge allowed that? OOPs, probably he’s back out on the street by now. And Senator Baruth would like you to give up your gun, while the likes of Mr. Nasid is running around loose.
Burlington used to be a fun place to visit. Unfortunately Church St. has become a haven for the mentally ill, drunk and homeless. My understanding is that the police are hamstrung because fighting, harassment, public drunkenness and other crimes are to be ignored per the mayors office by these bums. I usually vote Democratic but this free-for-all attitude has ruined a once great destination. Sad.
The fact that this asshole was even out of jail with a rap sheet as long as his arm is proof the system is broken. Yet again the government has failed to protect its citizens. How much more are we the people supposed to take from a government that cares more for drug dealers and illegals. This guy should have never been on the streets. How are the gun laws working for all of you lefties. I dont feel any safer knowing that criminals dont give a fuck about laws and this is proof how does a guy that is out on conditions get his hands on a gun? Oh thats right he got it legally NOT. It might be time to bring back public hangings. My heart goes out to the victim of this preventable crime. Time to press the restart button on our elected officials and to get a government that works for and protects the people of this nation.
I never said his identity should not be disclosed- thats a lie.
I said he should not be treated as guilty- as he is still to be presumed innocent
Same thing here- Hence the “alleged shooter” aspect of my comment
My previous comments had to do with the same thing- due process – the presumption of innocence until proven guilty
this is very simple stuff here. I really dont think I can help you out in explaning your fundamental rights to you as you either have no interest in them or you being ignorant in regards to what they are.
Snow Creek, how come you come you argue on one article that the attempted school shooter’s identity should not have been disclosed and here you argue there is some conspiracy for not posting the shooter’s name immediately after the event occurred? I am genuinely interested in your reasoning.
one can only wonder the reasons for the delay in letting us know who the alleged shooter was….
They know who they are. Whats the holdup?