SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Vermont man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nine charges including kidnapping and aggravated assault after an alleged crime spree in South Burlington. The 74-year-old victim in the attack told WCAX about the harrowing moments spent with a knife to her throat in what police are calling a random attack.
“He got me on the ground. I was screaming,” said Regina Mushabac, recounting the terrifying moments when she says Shannon Edwards randomly burst into her home and assaulted her Monday evening. ” I was very confused until things got painful — literally — as I realized this is not a fantasy of some sort.”
WCAX reporters were on the scene in the tense few minutes after the alleged assault when Edwards was arrested. Several police cars and officers responded. “He wanted to make sure he was in charge, and he said if I if I screamed again, he killed me — which was not unlikely because he was in a rage,” said Mushabac, still wearing bandages Tuesday from the multiple cuts she received in the attack.
South Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke says violent incidents like this are extremely rare and he praised the officers who disarmed Edwards and took him into custody. “This was stranger violence,” Burk said. “I’m just thankful that our officers — along with the Burlington detective — were able to intercede so we didn’t have a true tragedy in loss of life last night on Brewer Parkway.”
Nearby residents like Joanna Revers say the neighborhood has become more dangerous, with increasing break-ins and robberies. “It just seems that these things are happening more and more in this neighborhood and encroaching on our very happy, comfortable, suburban way of life,” she said.
Mushabac says she’s grateful for the help of hospital staff, neighbors, and police, including an officer who held her hand. “One policewoman took my hand, looked me in the eye — ‘You are not in any danger’ as she said. But she knew I wanted her to repeat that 100 times. It did give me confidence to believe her,” said Mushabac, who is recuperating at home after an evening at the hospital.
Reporter Katharine Huntley: How are you feeling?
Regina Mushabac: Remarkably comfortable. Remarkably, I’m not scared. I think that’s because I’m surrounded by so much love, so many people that do care.
Edwards pleaded not guilty to nine charges in court Tuesday morning. He is being held without bail.