WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Man Arrested in South Burlington Stabbing

Man Arrested in South Burlington Stabbing

South Burlington, Vermont - September 16, 2009

As the crime scene tape went up outside Needleman's Bridal Shop on Shelburne Road in South Burlington, police and a crowd of witnesses were still trying to piece together what had just happened.

"A little bit scared, because we didn't know what in the world was going on, nobody did," said Holly Jones, a witness.

Witnesses say Stephen Le, 40, of South Burlington, came out of a neighboring business called Nail Spa and Tanning around 1 p.m. Wednesday and confronted Daniel Dennis, 23, of Essex, who was smoking in front of the nail salon. Police say the two men began to fight. Dennis allegedly pushed Le down to the ground and Le responded by stabbing Dennis. Police say Le then went to his car to get a gun, while Dennis went into the bridal store to ask his friends for help.

"We thought he was just joking, and we opened the door and we seen that he had a big cut, a big gash, a gouge in his stomach," said Samantha Mott, a friend of Dennis.

"We saw a guy running from the bridal shop to the nail shop, the police jumped out of their cars with guns, they all had guns, ran into the bridal shop, then the next thing we know the guy from the nail shop getting handcuffed," Jones said.

South Burlington Police Ofc. Ron Bliss said, "We arrived here and found one male on the sidewalk in front of the stores, he was stopped, searched and found a knife and a gun."

Dennis was taken to the hospital to be treated for his wound.

"He seems to be fine, alert, talking it doesn't seem to be life-threatening," Bliss said.

Le has been charged with aggravated assault and was taken to the jail in South Burlington. The incident is still under investigation and police would like to hear from anyone with information -- 802-846-4111.

Beth Parent - WCAX News