FERRISBURGH — A Vergennes man was killed at a Ferrisburgh bonfire Friday night, and police have identified a Burlington man they arrested as the prime suspect.
At approximately 11:56 p.m. on Friday, July 27, Vermont State Police received a 911 call regarding an assault on Sand Road in Ferrisburgh. Troopers from the VSP’s New Haven barracks and Vergennes Area Rescue Squad were dispatched immediately. Upon arrival emergency responders located a man, later identified as Conrad Bell, 40, of Vergennes, who was unresponsive; they began resuscitation efforts.
Bell was transported to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington; where he later died as a result of his injuries. Police did not identify the nature of Bell’s injuries.
During the initial investigation, police learned that an altercation occurred between several members of a group of people attending a bonfire and a male that drove up to the group. The suspect, Joseph Bolduc, 25 of Burlington, left the scene before law enforcement arrived. Troopers from the New Haven barracks immediately initiated a search for Bolduc.
With the assistance of Vergennes police, Bolduc was taken into custody in Ferrisburgh after allegedly assaulting a state trooper. A VSP spokeswoman told the Burlington Free Press that Bolduc was taken into custody by 4 a.m. Saturday.
Bolduc was arrested on multiple charges including a criminal count of driving with a suspended license; driving under the influence test refusal, third offense; leaving the scene of an accident; negligent driving; resisting arrest; and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer.
Police said more charges against Bolduc would be forthcoming.
He was lodged without bail at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility. Arraignment at the Addison County Courthouse was expected on Monday.
Bell’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy will be performed. Police said announcement of the official cause and manner of death would come after the completion of the autopsy.
Detectives from the VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to both the residence and the hospital. They were assisted by members of the VSP Crime Scene Search Team. Police said this was an active homicide investigation.