The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Latter Day Saints in Lyndonville were struck by bullets late at night on January 23. Three days later the rear window of a parked St. Johnsbury police cruiser and windows at the St. Johnsbury Fire Station were shot at with a shotgun. Police have linked one shooter to both crimes.

John M. Davis, of New Britain, Connecticut is being held without bail for the three shootings around the Northeast Kingdom.

The shots that broke the windows of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, ruptured water pipes and flooded the room with an inch of water. Fireworks and road flares were found at both scenes and it is believed that the shooter was attempting to set fire to the buildings. Ironically, the fire appears to have been extinguished by the pipes being burst by the gun shot.

Officer James Hemond of the Lyndonville Police commented, “quite a bit of evidence was left behind at the scene… boxes of fireworks and then a shotgun casing.”

The Shooting of the St. Johnsbury police cruiser occurred while several officers were inside the station. Sergeant Eric Hazzard and Officer Justin Hoyt heard the gunfire, ran out, got into the shot-up cruiser and gave chase.  Soon after, Davis jumped out of his car, which rolled into the South Main Auto building, and attempted to elude officers. Officers then found him hiding behind plows in the parking lot where he then began shouting at police, “He said shoot me… Shoot me, but we didn't," according to Officer Richard Leighton.

Davis was arrested and police searched his car.  A sawed off shotgun, seventeen shotgun shells, and fireworks with their receipt were found. The fireworks appeared to be the same type as those found at the churches. Also found was a threatening computer printout of an undisclosed religious leader with the words, “Kill, save the church, and 666(name).”

Davis was scheduled to be arraigned in St. Johnsbury, but was taken to Burlington to answer federal charges.  The Judge ordered Davis be held without bail calling him a flight risk, citing mental health issues.

Davis has not yet been charged with the shootings at the church as the investigation is on going; police are also looking into a string of other recent shootings to see if there is a possible connection between them and Davis.  His court date is scheduled for Friday, February 13th.