Proctor shooting was a wild 2 1/2 minutes
Toolbox
Published: November 21, 2008
Police said the entire incident lasted about 2-1/2 minutes.
An affidavit filed in Rutland District Court and a statement by Vermont State Police Col. James Baker tell the story of the gunbattle Wednesday that ended with a Proctor man hospitalized and charged with trying to kill a police officer.
Called to 9 River St. in Proctor, Sgt. Thomas Mozzer met Grace Walters, who said she was worried about her husband's mental state. Walters told Mozzer there were not any weapons in the house, and asked Mozzer to "be easy" on her husband, John Walters, because he was "a professional."
Telling Grace Walters to wait outside, Mozzer entered the house to try to talk to her husband.
John Walters was in a bedroom at the back end of the house's first floor, sitting on the bed. Mozzer moved through a hallway and a room with a piano, turning left into the kitchen, and then through another hallway with a small set of stairs going up and another going back down, followed by another hallway leading to the right.
As Mozzer entered the last hallway, he saw Walters on the bed, looking directly at him, holding a pistol in his hand, between his legs.
Mozzer took cover in a bathroom doorway and ordered Walters to drop the gun. Walters repeatedly told Mozzer to leave. Mozzer told Walters to drop the gun, saying he just wanted to talk to Walters.
The bedroom had a pair of French doors, one of which was open. Walters closed the other one, and Mozzer retreated to the stairs, taking cover behind a wall. Walters then came out of the bedroom, his right hand hidden behind his back.
After repeatedly telling Walters to show his hand, Mozzer realized the man was not armed and tried to take him into custody.
"A violent struggle then ensued and Walters managed to break free from Sergeant Mozzer," Baker said.
Mozzer repeatedly tried to call for backup at this stage, but his radio could not reach a dispatcher. Grace Walters came into the house, and Mozzer told her to call for help.
John Walters went into the bedroom, back to his gun, and Mozzer again took cover. Walters came out, armed, yelling, and pointed the gun at Mozzer.
Mozzer fired first. Walters returned fire. Mozzer kept telling Walters to stop and drop the gun. They both kept shooting.
The shooting continued as Mozzer retreated to a dining room near the piano room. He saw a flash from Walters' gun and fired again. The round hit. Walters fell to the floor and Mozzer was still telling Walters to drop the gun.
Seeing Walters' gun on the floor, Mozzer kicked it aside, telling Walters to show his hand. He rolled Walters over and handcuffed him.
Contact Gordon Dritschilo at gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com.