Suspect held after alleged Fairfax shooting incident
By St. Albans Messenger Staff
May 22, 2012 Edition
FAIRFAX - On Saturday the Franklin County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call alleging that a male was outside a house on Buck Hollow Road in Fairfax, yelling obscenities and firing shots.
The caller, at about 9 p.m., informed police that the male in question repeatedly entered the residence, shot firearms, exited, and then yelled again. Buck Hollow Road was temporarily shut down to protect the public, said the sheriff's office in a press release.
When police arrived John Collins, 39, of Fairfax, was found at the end of his drlveway behind a truck. He did not comply initially, police
alleged. He was eventually taken into custody without incident. Officers found several loaded guns within Collins' arm reach, one of which had a bullet in the chamber.
Investigation showed that Collins was served a relief from abuse order earlier that day; requiring him to vacate his residence.
Police said they suspected that he had returned to the home intoxicated. Police claim he broke several doors, damaged the
house, and started firing a weapon multiple times outside. He also allegedly yelled obscenities so loud that neighbors could hear.
No one else was at the residence when the incident occurred, said police.
Collins was lodged and bail denied. He is charged with unlawful trespass, unlawful mischief, reckless endangerment, disorderly
conduct, and violation of relief from abuse order.
Vermont State Police assisted the Sheriff's Office with this incident.