Dominic Stearns name was misspelled in the original update and has been corrected below.
Update #1
VSP News Release-Incident
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
CASE#: 25A5003567
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Aaron Leonard
STATION: Derby
CONTACT#: 802-334-8881
DATE/TIME: 07/04/2025 2332 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: South Beach, Lake Willoughby, Westmore, VT
VIOLATION: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Reckless Endangerment
ACCUSED: Dominic Stearns
AGE: 24
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Westfield, VT
Further investigation into this incident including interviews with victims led the Vermont State Police to develop probable cause to arrest Dominic Stearns, age 24 of Westfield, VT, for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and three counts of reckless endangerment. Investigation revealed that during this incident Stearns brandished and pointed a firearm at three individuals at the South Beach at Lake Willoughby on 7/4/2025. No injuries were reported.
On 7/15/2025 at approximately 1830 hours Troopers encountered Stearns operating a motor vehicle on VT Route 100 in the town of Newport Center, VT and conducted an investigatory motor vehicle stop. Stearns was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to the Vermont State Police Derby barracks for processing. Stearns was later held on $500 bail and conditions of release imposed by the Honorable Court and cited to appear in Orleans Criminal Court on 7/16/2025 at 12:30PM.
It is believed other individuals may have witnessed this incident and are encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police Derby barracks at 802-334-8888. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by texting VTIPS to 274637 or https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 7/16/2025 1230PM
COURT: Orleans Criminal Court
LODGED - LOCATION: Northern State Correctional Facility
BAIL: $500
MUG SHOT: INCLUDED
*Please note: court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.
Original News Release:
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On the above date and time, Troopers with the Vermont State Police Derby barracks and Deputies from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a report of an individual threatening others with a weapon at South Beach on Lake Willoughby, in the Town of Westmore. Further details were not immediately available due to the callers disconnecting from lack of cell phone reception.
Responding units arrived at the beach and found that all involved had fled from the scene. There is no indication at this time of any injuries from this incident. Investigation into this incident is on-going.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact Trooper Aaron Leonard at the Vermont State Police Derby barracks at 802-334-8881 or aaron.leonard@vermont.gov and reference case 25A5003567. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by texting VTIPS to 274637 or https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Aaron Leonard, Trooper
Vermont State Police – Derby
35 Crawford Road,
Derby, VT 05829
802-334-8881
