BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Police say a Vermont man shot at a house where he knew people were inside.
Lucas Gingras, 38, of Fletcher, faces a slew of charges stemming from the incident over the weekend, and police say it’s not the first time he’s been violent.
Gingras appeared virtually in court, pleading not guilty to charges of aggravated assault, aggravated disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.
Vermont State Police say it happened Friday night at a party at a house in Huntington where Gingas and some co-workers got together. People at the party told troopers that after a couple of shots of tequila, Gingras “lost it.” Witnesses said Gingras went into the house with a rifle and pointed it at a guest.
The situation de-escalated and the homeowner drove the guest home and told Gingras to leave. While the homeowner was away dropping off his friend, his partner who remained home with their son, called and said Gingras returned and fired a shot at the house.
Police arrived and arrested Gingras. They say they found a rifle and a crossbow in his car, along with empty alcohol containers.
Lucas Gingras might be a familiar name to some. Ten years ago, police say he was involved in a bizarre attempt to kill his girlfriend on a camping trip by faking a bear attack and coaxing her to jump off a 70-foot cliff to avoid the imaginary bear.
“I think this was one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard,” then-Chittenden County Prosecutor T.J. Donovan said in 2014. “This is just an incredible, fantastic story that is designed to mislead not only law enforcement but the public, about Mr. Gingras’ intent to kill his girlfriend.”
Gingras was initially charged with attempted murder in that case, but he took a plea deal on lesser charges and served jail time.
Now, Gingras is back behind bars in this new case. He’s being held without bail.