Identities revealed in VSP trooper-involved shooting

PUTNEY, Vt. (NEWS10) -- Vermont State Police released the identities of the people involved in a fatal shooting on Monday in Putney, Vt.

Scott Garvey, 55, was shot and killed at his Putney Landing apartment Monday afternoon. According to his autopsy, the cause of death was gunshot wounds to the torso and lower left extremity, and his cause of death was a homicide.

The Vermont State Trooper who shot Garvey was identified as Peter Romeo, who has been a member of the Vermont State Police since 2022. He is on paid leave.

Police said they initially received a phone call at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday to report a mental health concern at the apartment. A mental health caseworker handled the concern over the phone, and police did not respond.

The next morning, police received a phone call at 7:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. During the second call, another resident of the apartment complex reported Garvey was showing concerning behavior and making threats. Police and a mental health caseworker responded, but police said Garvey barricaded himself in his apartment and continued to make threats.

Troopers obtained a search warrant to enter the apartment and arrest Garvey. When they entered, police said they thought Garvey was holding a gun. When he did not respond to trooper commands, Trooper Romeo fired his service weapon, hitting Garvey.

A search of the apartment found no weapons.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600 or leave an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.