Allaire noted he is optimistic a focus on addressing substance use disorders and forming neighborhood partnerships in Rutland can help strengthen his community after the encounter many here say really rattled locals. Al Gobeille, Top Exec at UVM Health Network, to Resign, 5. He was a member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Rutland Elks Lodge. Technically, Louras was a maintenance pilot he oversaw repairs, then flew the choppers to make sure the work had been done right. However, Donovan wouldnt discuss that while the murder investigation is still underway in Addison County. Four officers fired on Louras in the shootout in which he also shot at the officers, according to police. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. When he's encouraging fellow mayors to act decisively, Lauzon urges them to go "full-on Louras.". He can be reached at jcraven@vtdigger.org. health/wellness The Vermont State Police responded to the scene to continue the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. "I've got voters who invited that guy to come to Rutland!". The United States has agreed to take in 85,000, including 10,000 Syrians, though the country has fallen behind on its schedule to fulfill that pledge. So in the Army, as a warrant officer, you can pick one of three tracks, Louras said. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, said in October. For that, Louras is supposed to answer for the actions of city employees including the police. He got out with a rifle and officers from Rutland City and Rutland Town in downtown Rutland fired their weapons at him. He also owns the adjacent tobacco shop at 15 Center Street. For that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and "This has to be planned very, very well. Cloudy with showers. Allaire's optimistic a focus on addressing substance use disorders and forming neighborhood partnerships can help strengthen his community after the encounter many here say really rattled Rutland. Rochester Grocery Store to Close, Leaving Residents in the Lurch, 6. Like a nerdy sailor, he mixes in expressions like "gosh," "good golly" and "holy moly" with actual swear words. ", "I wasn't built for it," Louras said of Statehouse politics. ((Nats car crash)) After getting stuck on railroad tracks- the driver gets out, shooting at officers. There were other officers on scene, but only those four opened fire. "He's a go-at-it alone person. Both prosecutors praised police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt. A constant presence at municipal meetings and other local gatherings, he doubles as the city's public relations director. Life can be cruel and there are many twists and turns we may never understand. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins' deaths, but the AG wouldn't discuss t. There will be no criminal charges filed against four Vermont police officers who shot and killed the son of Rutlands former mayor back in October, after he led them on a chase and opened fire on the officers first.GET THE LATEST: Download the MyNBC5 appFootage from a police cruisers dashboard camera, obtained Tuesday, shows a chase through a popular shopping areas parking lot in downtown Rutland on Oct. 8.After getting stuck on railroad tracks, the driver gets out and can be seen shooting at officers, who return fire.NBC5 chose not to broadcast or publish the moment 33-year-old Christopher Louras is struck by police bullets.Louras was the son of Rutlands former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. Louras remembered sitting in his office with a former city attorney talking about what to do. Christopher George Louras RUTLAND In memory of Christopher George Louras, a gathering for friends and family will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at his Louras got in line. She can be reached at tpache@vtdigger.org. "They come with goals and dreams, and we're here to give them the tools. The younger Louras, Vermont's attorney general says, was in a mental health crisis when he shot seven times at officers - as well as at the entrance of the Rutland City Police Department shown in this surveillance footage - before the cops drew their own guns, striking Louras 9 times, with a fatal wound to the head. UPDATE 10/10/2019: The Vermont State Police today identified Nicholas Louras, 34, of Rutland, as the homicide victim found on Tuesday in Salisbury. Louras was the son of Rutlands former longtime mayor, also Louras was struck, got injured, and was pronounced dead after being brought by ambulance to Rutland Regional Medical Center. Nick Louras was born July 2, 1927, in Rutland, son of Nicholas and Amalia (Alexandrides) Louras. ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:49: life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight.)) "Lauzon just takes it and does it, and that's what I like about Thom," Louras said. Burlington Chief Threatened to Arrest Doc Who Was Treating Gunshot Victim, Hospital Says, 7. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Share with Us. Chris Louras shot up the police station on Wales Street around 5:30 a.m., firing multiple times into the buildings front entrance and then fleeing the scene. Those are the big ones with two rotors. My issue is process. Both prosecutors praised police for facing a threat with So besides the three refugee families that moved to Rutland, Louras is probably the one whos seen his life change the most because of how resettlement played out in this city. That's where Louras excels, airbrush in hand. Other communities, large and small, rely on professional managers, hired and overseen by elected boards, to run city hall. Our education reporter is Tiffany Pache. Former Rutland Herald editor Randal Smathers remembered seeing several people at that press conference who were not applauding. Vermont Public's News CoverageGovernment & Politics | The Vermont Economy | Criminal Justice & Public Safety | Arts & Culture | Education | Health | Energy & Environment | Food & Agriculture | Series & Specials, Investigations | Brave Little State | Vermont Edition | New England News Collaborative (NENC) | VPR Archive, PublishedSeptember 22, 2019 at 9:06 PM EDT. Louras said. I dont think thats too much to ask.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Footage from a police cruisers dashboard camera, obtained Tuesday, shows a chase through a popular shopping areas parking lot in downtown Rutland on Oct. 8. I'm certainly concerned about that, too, but that's not my issue. Right in Rutland: Will Mayor Chris Louras Fall on His Sword for 100 Instead, he says "people with an R next to their name," or "guy with a D next to his name." own cousin, Nicholas Louras, before that shootout with police. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WCAX News spoke with a witness who watched it all go down. Police say some aspects of the case, including the precise timeline of events, remain under investigation. Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Police said Christopher Louras shot through the front door of the Rutland City Police Department early on Oct. 8, 2019. Nick was a 1945 graduate of Rutland High School. Investigators concluded all four officers acted appropriately. Commissioners refused; Bossi resigned in 2012. It didn't help when local, national and even international journalists descended on Rutland's blighted Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods, portraying the areas as ground zero in Vermont's "opiate crisis.". Separately, Chris Louras's mother says she and his grandmother loved her son dearly and miss him every day. ", "How much pushback do you need?" VTDigger is now accepting letters to the editor. I can't get past the recognition of how much more it could have impacted Rutland had it continued," Louras said. Nina Keck/VPR. She can be reached at ehewitt@vtdigger.org. But it wasnt until late 2015, when former Governor Peter Shumlin announced Vermont would open its doors to Syrian refugees, that Louras saw an opportunity to act on his idea. Oct 29, 2019 1 Christopher George Louras RUTLAND Christopher George Louras, died at age 33. In a small Vermont city: heroin, bullets, and empathy Louras is adamantly opposed to a vote. ", "I would have preferred more advance notice. Not surprisingly, Louras feels a kinship with Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon, a brash businessman and booster with similarly unpredictable politics. Some questioned whether the immigrants would carry communicable diseases. Vermont-Based Feds Pursue Fraud Claims Against Health Records Company, Newport Prison Superintendent Removed From Post, Former Rutland mayor Christopher C. Louras. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? "We don't have a jobs problem," Louras said. People are angry, said local physician Timothy Cook. "I'm sure there are some in the community who are concerned about the refugees themselves. racist or sexually-oriented language. Well check it out and report the results. We'll see what skills they bring, but even if they don't have English yet and don't have health care skills, we would still work with them.". Louras own grandparents had been among them, settling in Rutland after fleeing Greece. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Vermont State Police say Louras drove by the police station around 5:30 a.m. and fired . click here. Louras wielded an "AR-15-style" gun, Trudeau said. Vermont Gov. After getting stuck on railroad tracks, the driver gets out and can be seen shooting at officers, who return fire. Get him worked up, and his voice rises. Merdzanovic was evasive when asked at the meeting if a "no" vote would prompt her organization to look elsewhere. Police have said the deaths are linked, but have stopped short of calling the younger Christopher Louras a suspect in his cousins death. Critics worried about how the city would pay for a large influx of new residents. now. Despina Louras Obituary (2013) - Rutland, VT - Rutland Herald "He's a highly active, sometimes hyperactive guy who cares deeply, deeply for the Rutland community. guiltless if they hurt or kill another person while trying to protect their own said State Rep. Peter Fagan (R-Rutland). Tuesday the A.G. and the Rutland County State's Attorney announced they won't charge the four officers who returned fire: three from Rutland Both prosecutors praising police for facing a threat with bravery before anyone else was hurt. With so many employers promising jobs, Rutland became Merdzanovic's top choice. Need more info? ((ROSE KENNEDY / Rutland County State's Attorney: 11:47: for that, I am eternally grateful to these officers and thank them for their actions.)) "Rutland has been addressing our issues, and, having turned our community around, this is the next logical step to embrace New Americans and enjoy the economic and cultural benefits that level of diversity will provide," Louras said in an earlier interview. Fairlee Developer Wants to Help Others Tackle Small-Town Housing Roadblocks, 4. No one was injured. Chris Louras for Rutland - Facebook Now Louras is a general manager for Foley Distributing. In August, the Rutland Chapter of the NAACP awarded Louras its "Courage in Action Award" for his efforts on behalf of Syrian refugees. Investigators: Man killed cousin before deadly shootout with police, Bike race participant killed in Burke Saturday, Kuster tours health facilities in Upper Valley, Businesses say I Do to busy wedding season, Former Vt. mayor's son killed in police shootout; may be linked to homicide, Police ID officers in police-involved shooting in Rutland, Police connecting dots between Salisbury homicide, Rutland shootout, No update from police Friday on deaths of Louras cousins, Louras cousins both died of gunshot wounds, Louras family speaks out after cousins killed by gunfire, Vt. attorney general: 4 officers justified in fatal Rutland shooting, Police video reveals timeline of deadly officer-involved shooting. "It was an itch I had to scratch," he said. Threats of harming another High 57F. As mayor, he definitely weathered his share of criticism. The former mayors late son is also suspected of killing his It wouldn't be because of taxes. Correction 4:30 p.m. 9/27/2019 An earlier version incorrectly identified the model type of the Chinook helicopter. Final Reading: When will the legislative session wrap up? Scoopers at Ben & Jerry's in Burlington Seek to Unionize. She can be reached at emansfield@vtdigger.org. The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal, 4. Nicholas R. Louras RUTLAND Nicholas R. Louras, 34, of Rutland died unexpectedly in Salisbury on October 8, 2019. Police say the man they killed was Christopher Louras, 33, the son of former Rutland Mayor Chris Louras. "He is very blunt. Four officers fired at him. Get an email notification whenever someone signs the guestbook. It wouldn't be because of transportation infrastructure. Ben Cohens Cannabis Company Tries to Undo the Harm of the War on Drugs, 5. Deployed to Saudi Arabia for the duration of the six-month conflict, his job was to ferry military equipment into Iraq and transport prisoners of war out. According to Major Tradeau, Chris Louras, armed with an AR-15-style rifle exchanged some fire towards the officers. He said hes grateful to have the job. He's loved by his girl friend, Lauren Stacey; mother Crystal King; sister Hannah Lamarche; father and stepmother Chris and Judy Louras; brothers Augie, Ian and Justin Louras; and grandparents Ruth and Gus Louras and Mary King. If you're looking for "ISpys," dating or LTRs, this is your scene. He is the son of former Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras who served five two-year terms as the citys top elected official. named Chris Louras. Required fields are marked *. Louras relationship with the board had always been contentious, and this wasnt the first time he had gone around them to get something done. Be Nice. homes for sale "Ask any employer in town. But, if enough of his constituents disagree, Louras knows he may not be in office to see his vision come to fruition. Louras had cruised to reelection five times. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Police later located the white Ford Focus around 7 a.m. near the Walmart in the downtown shopping plaza. Learn how Report for America and local philanthropists are contributing to the cause, Tags: Politics, cannabis related, Chris Louras, New Americans, Rutland, Syrian refugees, Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, Cyclist Killed in Crash With Truck While Riding in Rasputitsa Race, Shooting Victim Found on Downtown Burlington Sidewalk, The Tangled Tale Behind the Abrupt Resignation of Middlebury Union High Schools Principal. Acting unilaterally, however, may have jeopardized his laudable gambit. With the crisis in war-torn Syria, which has prompted millions of displaced people to flee to Europe, the VRRP is upping that number to 400. If you want a pest-free patio this spring, the most important thing you can do is take away those elements that bugs find desirable. Need more info? Christopher Louras death, obituary: 33 year old Christopher G. Louras was killed Tuesday in an early morning Rutland Vermont shooting with officers. Vermont State Police on Tuesday confirmed that Christopher Louras was responsible for the murder of his cousin, Nicholas Louras. If he wins reelection he told Seven Days he will run for a new two-year term in 2017 he will be the longest-serving mayor in Rutland history. Hello, 21st Century! Jasper Craven covers politics for VTDigger. Louras said that despite his city's reputation for economic woe, it had plenty of cheap housing, employers struggling to fill entry-level jobs, and a willingness to welcome the refugees. to oust the incumbent mayor in March 2017. get the three families we did into Rutland. He keeps a model of the chopper in his city hall office along with a crushing amount of paper piled on the desk, floor and coffee table and couch. Rutland has an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, right around the statewide average of 3.2 and well below the national rate of 5 percent. After getting stuck on railroad tracks, the driver gets out and can be seen shooting at officers, who return fire. person will not be tolerated. A recent afternoon saw Louras grappling with a problem that would be unimaginable in Burlington reducing his city's housing stock. ((JACK THURSTON: The former mayor's late son is also suspected ((MAYOR DAVE ALLAIRE / Rutland, VT: 12:18: this has been a tragic event for our community, and of course, personally for my family.)) Don't Threaten. From 2014-2020, Seven Days allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. The city had become a defacto property manager, picking up the garbage and mowing lawns. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, 255 So. 'For the Love of Rutland' Documents Public and Private Sides of the Donovan and Rutland County States Attorney Rose Kennedy both said they wont charge the four officers who returned fire. 2023 I'd be honored to hav However, Donovan There was a pursuit, a few hundred yards. From Rutland High School, he went straight to the University of Vermont, where he graduated with a political science degree in 1982. Louras thinks some of those who have settled into Chittenden County might decide to move south, where housing is cheaper. The younger Louras, Vermonts attorney general said, was in This year, there will be an estimated 60 million refugees and displaced people worldwide. Phil Scott, R-Vermont, said in October. While weve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down at least temporarily. Police have not said how the two deaths are linked, other than the familial relationship between the two. Keep it Clean. Three years after placing himself in the center of Rutland's refugee resettlement debate and losing his mayoral seat, Christopher Louras only regrets the refugee families who never came. or anything. Louras said he was trying to stick up for local agriculture. There were no injuries to police or other civilians. VTDigger regularly publishes stories about Vermont politics. A firefight broke out between the suspect and police, during which the suspect was hit. Louras was the son of Rutlands former longtime mayor, also named Chris Louras. But I'm not at the point where I'm willing to self-reflect, especially with a microphone., As to whether he regretted the way he handled the refugee resettlement issue, he was quick to say "no. The younger Louras,. I'm so sorry for your loss. After a one-time payment of $925, plus minimal language, housing and employment assistance, more than 80 percent of refugees meet the federal definition of "self-sufficient" within a year of arriving in Vermont. In the wake of Louras's announcement, that theory appears to have gained a toehold in Rutland. The Vermont State Police learned that a mans body was discovered off of Vermont Route 53, also known as Lake Dunmore Road, in Salisbury. The citys Project Vision program has been working on improving the quality of life and addressing drug concerns in Rutland for years now. "He bounces all over the place. passed away on April 19, 2023. In 1995, he left the military and moved back home to Rutland to work for the family business. Absolutely. He was born in Rutland, Oct. 8, 1985 the son of Nicholas Constantinos and Julie Ann (Sharrow) Louras. It. Refugees are needy folks, said former Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton. Andrew Todd, now with the Vermont State Police, also accused Rutland police officers of racially profiling drug suspects, carrying on inappropriate relationships with female confidential informants and drinking on duty. "I would like to be considered before outside people, Leonard said at a board of aldermen meeting. Christopher Louras was the son of a former mayor. Trapeni was incensed at what he called the secrecy of the way resettlement was rolled out. Obituaries | rutlandherald.com However, Donovan wouldnt discuss that while the murder investigation is still underway in Addison County. Emails from a public records request show Louras and Merdzanovic considered announcing it but nixed the idea. We've chosen to freeze the video before it shows 33- year-old Christopher Louras fall after getting struck by police bullets. Former Rutland mayor Christopher Louras sits at home with his dog, Raye. Im looking into how aging in Vermont impacts living essentials such as jobs, health care and housing. Then there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and the suspect driving the white vehicle. Louras grabbed his iPad and gleefully pulled up a video of Simpson speaking at a recent event in New Hampshire. When no jobs appealed to him after college, Louras enlisted as a warrant officer in the U.S. Army and learned to fly twin-rotor Chinook helicopters. "I think someone could make hay with that.". "You should be doing just the opposite. Drugs are believed to be a factor in the Louras cousins Other contributing factors to his death, the document stated, were gunshot wounds to his torso and extremities. Police ID Salisbury homicide as cousin of man killed in Rutland Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Deputies investigating church donation box burglary, Flooding closes multiple roads in Canajoharie, 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma: Neighbors swimming, 05/01/2023: Exercise for your umbrella and wipers, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day. The organization knew little about Rutland, and had never considered the city as a possible destination, director Amila Merdzanovic said. justified under the states self-defense rules, which consider someone Life is fragile, and we need to hold our loved ones tight, Allaire said at Tuesdays news conference. He said he's not ready to self-reflect on losing his sixth reelection bid in the midst of Rutland refugee resettlement debate.