BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A South Burlington teen was in court Tuesday to face attempted murder charges. Police say the hit-and-run attack in downtown Burlington early Thursday morning last week was sparked after the victim threw a snowball at his car.
Burlington Police say Hamza Velic, 18, made multiple attempts to strike Oliver Reed with his car after Reed had thrown a snowball at his car. During one of the attacks, a surveillance camera captured Velic’s car hitting Reed at the intersection of Church and Main Streets, sending him through the air and causing his pants to fly off. While Reed was regrouping, police say Velic doubled back and stuck him again.
Miraculously, Reed escaped a third attempted attack. He was treated and released from the hospital for bruises and scrapes.
Velic was arrested on Friday and appeared Tuesday before Vermont Superior Court Judge Michael Harris, who called the attack “alarming and erratic.” “This was intent. He can’t say he just went too fast around the speed and struck someone. He was preying and trying to strike this person down,” Harris said.
Velic pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges and is being held without bail. The court will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to release him to his father while awaiting trial.
Police say Velic was already on their radar following a recent charge of being in possession of a stolen Lamborghini
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South Burlington teen charged with attempted murder in attack with car