SHAFTSBURY — Two men were found dead at a Shaftsbury Hollow Road on Friday afternoon in what law enforcement believe to be a murder-suicide, according to Vermont State Police.
Troopers say they found the bodies of two men with gunshot wounds: Olanda Fitz, 28, of Shaftsbury; and Trevor Gardner, 38, of Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
The investigation is ongoing, Vermont State Police said in a news release. Troopers don’t believe there is any threat to the public.
Law enforcement were at the scene much of the afternoon as they investigated. On Friday evening, the state Major Crime Scene Unit was still at the rural property, which included a small mobile home, a handful of outbuildings and a field.
Troopers were called to the 600 block of Shaftsbury Hollow Road at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to the news release. Police had been notified that two deceased men were found on the property.
One man, identified as Fitz, was found in the front yard with a gunshot wound. The second man, identified as Gardner, was found in a pickup truck, and also appeared to have a gunshot wound.
After a preliminary investigation, troopers determined the shootings were related to a homicide and suicide. The final causes of death will be determined by working with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to troopers.
Fitz had previously been accused of trafficking drugs and guns, and that he threatened a woman with a gun.
According to an affidavit by Vermont State Police, in February they received information from a number of people who said that Fitz, also know as “Fritz,” “Magnum,” and “Degango,” was selling crack cocaine and heroin in and around Bennington and Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
Fitz pleaded not guilty in Vermont Superior Court Criminal Division Bennington Unit in July to charges that included first degree aggravated domestic assault with a weapon, cocaine trafficking and reckless endangerment.
Detectives from the Bennington County Sheriff’s Department, Bennington Police Department, as well as the Vermont State Police Criminal Division, Major Crime Unit and Crime Scene Search Team, assisted in the investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police – Shaftsbury Barracks 802-442-5421
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