Officer Jason Rivers Identified as Victim in Milton Ambush Shooting During Structure Fire Response; Veteran Milton Police Officer Shot in Back and Leg While Assisting at Residential Fire on Main Street, Suspect Barricaded in Armed Standoff With Law Enforcement

MILTON, VERMONT — In a harrowing and unprecedented sequence of events Wednesday evening, Milton Police Officer Jason Rivers, a 17-year veteran of the force, was critically injured in what authorities are now calling a calculated ambush during a routine response to a reported residential fire on Main Street. The officer was shot twice—once in the leg and once in the back—while assisting fire personnel at the scene. Officials say the bullet that struck Officer Rivers in the back was partially deflected by his department-issued ballistic vest, likely saving his life.

The gunman, later identified by Vermont State Police as Christopher “Chris” Halperin, 38, a local resident with a long history of mental health issues and prior police encounters, allegedly opened fire without warning from within the smoke-filled residence at 78 Main Street, initiating a violent and chaotic standoff that continues as of this writing.

🔹 Victim Identified: Officer Jason Rivers

The Milton Police Department officially identified the wounded officer Thursday morning as Jason Rivers, 46, a senior patrolman widely respected throughout Chittenden County. Rivers has served with distinction since 2008 and is a former Marine who completed two tours in Afghanistan. He was reportedly the first officer on scene alongside local fire officials shortly after 7:00 p.m., responding to a 911 call reporting visible flames and smoke from the structure.

According to preliminary reports and witness accounts, Rivers had just begun coordinating a perimeter and assisting firefighters with potential evacuations when the first shots rang out.

“He was hit immediately — no warning, no time to react,” said an emergency responder who spoke to Channel2 NOW on condition of anonymity. “It was a deliberate act. He was targeted.”

Rivers was stabilized on-site by EMTs from Milton Rescue and then transported under full police escort to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. As of Thursday morning, he remains in serious but stable condition after undergoing overnight surgery for a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. The injury to his back, while severe, did not penetrate the protective vest he was wearing.

🔹 Fire Response Turns Into Tactical Operation

What began as a standard emergency response quickly escalated into a complex tactical situation.

Multiple fire engines from the Milton Fire Department were dispatched to the residence following multiple 911 calls around 6:55 p.m. reporting smoke and potential flames visible from inside 78 Main Street — a two-story, single-family home located just blocks from Milton’s downtown corridor.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find windows blackened with soot and smoke venting from the eaves. Initial efforts to assess entry were suddenly halted when gunfire erupted from within the home, striking Officer Rivers.

According to Vermont State Police Captain Jeremy Doyle, who addressed the media late Wednesday night, “The initial fire scene became a hostile environment almost immediately. The presence of gunfire prompted a full tactical response. Law enforcement officers risked their lives to retrieve the wounded officer while simultaneously securing the area.”

Within 30 minutes, a multi-agency tactical response was deployed.

🔹 Gunman Identified as Christopher Halperin

The suspect has been officially identified as Christopher Halperin, age 38, a lifelong Milton resident who, according to VSP, has had prior contacts with law enforcement dating back more than a decade. Halperin’s record includes several involuntary psychiatric holds, weapons-related charges that were later dismissed on competency grounds, and multiple social media posts over the years indicating deep-seated paranoia and hallucinatory beliefs.

In one post dated April 19, Halperin wrote:

“They control my thoughts with sound. I hear it through the walls. The fire will stop them. They won’t get me this time.”

This and other cryptic messages prompted friends and neighbors to contact authorities over the past several weeks, but no direct intervention had occurred prior to Wednesday’s tragedy.

🔹 Barricade and Negotiation in Progress

As of early Thursday morning, the situation remains active.

The Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit (VSP SWAT), along with crisis negotiators and federal partners including the ATF and FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, are on scene. Officials have confirmed that Halperin is barricaded inside the home and believed to be armed with multiple firearms.

“We are operating under the assumption that the suspect is volatile and dangerous,” said Colonel Matthew Birmingham of the Vermont State Police. “Our primary goals are preserving life, maintaining officer safety, and attempting peaceful resolution through negotiation.”

Nearby residences have been evacuated, and police have established a security perimeter extending several blocks from the scene.

🔹 Law Enforcement Community Reacts

Reactions from across the state have poured in, as law enforcement agencies, political figures, and the broader Vermont community rally in support of Officer Rivers.

Milton Police Chief Susan Albright, visibly shaken, delivered an emotional statement Wednesday night:

“Jason Rivers is one of the finest officers I’ve ever had the honor to serve with. He has dedicated his life to protecting this community. He put himself between danger and the public, and he did it with courage and honor. We are standing by his family tonight, and we are united in prayer for his recovery.”

Governor Phil Scott also issued a statement calling the shooting “an unacceptable act of violence against those who protect and serve,” adding that the state will provide any necessary support for the ongoing investigation and Officer Rivers’ recovery.

🔹 Past Warnings and Missed Red Flags

Investigators are now combing through years of medical records, police reports, and social media activity linked to Christopher Halperin. Several residents who live nearby say they had made prior complaints to authorities, describing Halperin’s behavior as “erratic” and at times “frightening.”

“He would stand in the yard at 2 a.m. screaming into the woods,” said neighbor Linda Brigham. “We knew he wasn’t well, but no one seemed able to help him or get him the help he needed.”

Sources indicate Halperin had refused mental health treatment in recent months and had posted online videos in which he claimed to be under surveillance by the CIA and “targeted by sound weapons.”

Despite these warning signs, officials say no legal grounds existed for involuntary commitment under current Vermont statutes.

🔹 The Bigger Picture: Public Safety & Mental Health

The incident has renewed debate about Vermont’s mental health infrastructure, law enforcement response protocols, and gun access among individuals with documented psychiatric histories.

Experts say the Milton shooting fits a disturbing pattern: individuals with untreated mental illness, known to authorities, falling through systemic cracks and escalating into violence.

Dr. Angela Hunt, a forensic psychologist at the University of Vermont, noted:

“We have a critical gap between recognizing mental illness and responding to it effectively. This tragedy highlights not only a failure in preventative care but also a lack of tools for law enforcement to intervene before violence erupts.”

🔹 Ongoing Investigation

As of this update, crime scene technicians, arson investigators, and forensic specialists are combing through evidence from the fire and the shooting. Authorities believe the fire may have been intentionally set by the suspect as part of a larger premeditated plan.

The Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, VSP Bomb Squad, and digital forensic teams.

🔹 Community Vigil Planned

In a sign of solidarity, the Town of Milton has announced a community vigil for Officer Rivers and all first responders involved in the incident. The vigil will take place Friday evening at Bombardier Park West, with local clergy, town officials, and Rivers’ family expected to attend.

“We are a small town, but our hearts are big,” said Milton Mayor Kevin Chase. “Tonight we stand together — for Jason, for every first responder, and for a safer, more compassionate community.”

🔹 How to Help

The Milton Police Benevolent Association has established a GoFundMe page to support Officer Rivers’ medical expenses and family needs during recovery. Donations can be made online, and the department encourages residents to show their support with blue porch lights and ribbons.

🔹 Final Thoughts

What happened in Milton on April 23, 2025, will not soon be forgotten. A veteran officer who spent his life protecting others was ambushed while performing a selfless duty. A troubled man, long at the intersection of mental illness and law enforcement scrutiny, reached a breaking point. And a community, though shaken, is already rallying around one of its own.

As the investigation unfolds and recovery begins, one truth remains clear: the courage of Officer Jason Rivers and the coordinated response of Milton’s public safety agencies prevented a far greater tragedy.

This article will be updated with additional verified details as they emerge.