SALISBURY — The Vermont Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has officially ruled the Nov. 17 death of Gerald “Dusty” Woodburn, 52, of Salisbury, to have been a suicide, from a single gunshot to the head.
It was on Nov. 17 that Troopers Second Class Lewis Hatch and Kaitlyn Armstrong responded to Woodburn’s apartment on Lake Dunmore Road in Salisbury after receiving a 911 call from his girlfriend alleging a domestic disturbance.
While outside the apartment, the troopers attempted to separate and interview the parties involved, according to Vermont State Police Public Information Officer Stephanie Dasaro.
It was during this process that Woodburn allegedly pointed a 9mm handgun at the troopers, according to Dasaro. Trooper Hatch then fired a single round from his .40-caliber duty weapon that struck Woodburn, causing non-fatal injuries to his right arm and abdomen, according to Dasaro.
Woodburn then retreated into the apartment, where he was later found dead.
Police said a ballistic analysis concluded the bullet recovered from Woodburn’s head that resulted in his death was a 9mm bullet.
Police declined further comment pending an ongoing review of the case by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.