Update No. 2: VSP identifies individuals involved in Williston police shooting
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
Vermont State Police identifies individuals involved in Williston police shooting
WILLISTON, Vermont (Friday, Oct. 9, 2026) — The Vermont State Police is identifying the individuals involved in Thursday’s police shooting on Vermont Route 2A (St. George Road) in Williston.
The man who was shot is Michael McGovern, 52, of St. George.
The member of the Williston Police Department who shot McGovern is Officer Ethan Favreau. He joined the Williston Police Department in September 2019 after having previously served with the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office. A photo of Officer Favreau is attached to this release.
A second officer with the Williston Police Department was on scene at the time the incident occurred but did not fire his weapon. Questions regarding his identity and employment status should be directed to Williston police.
The Vermont State Police investigation into this shooting remains active and ongoing. No one is in custody, and no charges have been filed against anyone involved in this incident. Upon completion of the investigation, VSP will turn over the case to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant county’s state’s attorney’s office for independent reviews of the police use of force.
VSP will continue to provide updates as the investigation proceeds.
***Update No. 1, 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026***
The investigation into Thursday morning’s police shooting remains active and ongoing.
The man who was shot was treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for a gunshot wound to his hip and subsequently released.
The Williston police officer who fired his department-issued handgun was evaluated for a minor injury at the hospital and released. Per protocol, the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.
According to initial investigation by the Vermont State Police, the shooting occurred at about 4:50 a.m. when the driver of a car had approached a road hazard, reported as wires down across Route 2A, where Williston police officers had responded and were working in the roadway. The details and circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under active investigation.
State police detectives are interviewing witnesses, reviewing video including from Williston police cruisers and body-worn cameras, and gathering evidence. The Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team processed the location of the shooting, near 5479 St. George Rd., also known as Route 2A. The state road has been closed since the incident occurred but is expected to be re-opened by 4 p.m.
Maj. Ashley Barnes, commander of the VSP’s Criminal Division, will be available at the Williston Barracks at 4:45 p.m. to speak with members of the news media regarding this investigation.
***Initial news release, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026***
The Vermont State Police is investigating after a member of the Williston Police Department shot and injured a man on Vermont Route 2A early Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
The man who was shot was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time.
The shooting occurred shortly after 5 a.m. along the state route between Butternut Road and Old Creamery Road. No details are currently available regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Route 2A is closed between Butternut Road and Old Creamery Road while the investigation proceeds.
This investigation is in its earliest stages and includes detectives with the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit and Bureau of Criminal Investigations, uniformed troopers from the Field Force Division, the Crime Scene Search Team and the Victim Services Unit. The Vermont Highway Patrol and Shelburne Police Department are providing assistance.
The name of the man who was shot will be released following further investigation and notification of relatives.
Following standard protocol, the Vermont State Police will withhold the name of the police officer involved for at least 24 hours. At the conclusion of the investigation, VSP will hand over the case to the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the relevant county state’s attorney’s office for independent reviews of the legal justification for the use of force.
Anyone with information that could assist in this investigation is asked to call the state police barracks in Williston at 802-878-7111 or provide an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
No additional information is currently available. The state police will provide updates as the case develops.
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