WHEELOCK, Vt. — Vermont authorities have now concluded the homicide investigation of a man killed at his home last October, stating the fatal gunshot was delivered by a coworker. The case has been closed without any charges filed due to the suspect’s subsequent death shortly after the incident.
On a grim morning in autumn, 40-year-old Gary Larocque fatally shot Gunnar Watson at Watson’s residence, Vermont State Police disclosed. The tragedy unfolded on October 16 when Watson was struck by a .223-caliber rifle round while he stood in his doorway.
Detectives were able to pinpoint Larocque as the perpetrator after finding several cartridge casings at his residence. These casings were forensically matched with the ones recovered at the scene of the crime. Further bolstering the evidence, digital data placed Larocque at the location from where the deadly shot was likely fired.
Both men, who had been coworkers and knew each other for several years, were residents of the area, with Larocque hailing from nearby Brownington.
In a melancholic twist, Larocque died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 31, just over two weeks following the incident involving Watson. He was found deceased outside his home.
Had Larocque survived, legal proceedings would have likely followed. Jessica Zaleski, Caledonia County’s State Attorney, stated that she would have pursued a first-degree murder charge against him based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
“This conclusion brings some degree of closure to a case that has lingered within the community for months,” noted a spokesperson from the police department. “Our work here is done, though we continue to provide support to those affected by this event.”
The rapid closure of such cases often leaves unresolved questions about the motives and underlying circumstances leading to such grievous outcomes. This incident underscores the sometimes hidden, yet profound, complexities of interpersonal relationships in professional settings.
As the community of Wheelock tries to heal, discussions about workplace relationships and mental health have come to the forefront, signaling perhaps the only way forward is through prevention and increased awareness. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the rippling impact of individual actions on small communities.