Man shot in Springfield; nobody facing charges

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) - Police are investigating a shooting in Springfield that left one man injured.

A month ago, officers were investigating reports of gunshots on Valley Street, and Monday’s incident sent them back there again.

Vermont State Police say Todd Amell, 50, was hit by gunfire on Valley Street at about 2:30 p.m. Monday. Police say he was shot in the leg, but later released from the hospital.

They say the people involved knew each other, but at this time no one has been arrested or charged.

Neighbors told Channel 3 News they were not surprised this happened.

“We’d seen the guy come out on a stretcher. He had a sheet over him. He’d gotten shot,” said Taigen Dezaine, a neighbor. “Within two minutes, police were coming in on both sides. You’ll see down there people sitting on their porch like this is a regular day-- wanting to see if justice will come from it.”

Officials say this is the third shooting in the area since the start of the year, but neighbors say they’ve heard gunfire many other times before.

“I guess nobody got this the first few times. This time they’re saying somebody got hit. The worst part is it’s right at the bus stop where we pick up our children” said Darril Bunker, a neighbor.

Springfield Select Board Chair Kristi Morris says they have been actively working with the police department to straighten out the neighborhood, saying much of the crime is drug-related.

Morris says the department is understaffed and a lot of changes are expected to happen when the police chief and lieutenant retire in a few months.

“We’re looking to regenerate our police department to create some expectations so we can expand our police force,” Morris said.

Shana Jasinski has lived on Valley Street for a number of years. She says her kids aren’t even allowed to play outside alone.

“People have knives pulled on them. People are getting shot at all the time. We did have an instance where one person had been kidnapped,” Jasinski said.

Everyone we spoke with said they don’t expect change will happen anytime soon, but they are ready for it.

“What people need are programs. More people are willing to take them when offered than people believe-- so I’d like to see the people get some help,” said Bunker.

“It’s sad. We really wish this wouldn’t happen and things would clear up, but one day, we can only hope,” Dezaine said.

Police did not release any further details on the incident Monday.

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