An accused child molester killed himself outside a Vermont state police barracks Sunday, after troopers were warned the suicidal man was en route to their headquarters.
Michael Weisler, 43 of Waterville, pulled into the parking lot of the Vermont State Police dispatch center in Williston on Sunday, stepped outside the vehicle and shot himself.
"[He said] 'I'm the person you're looking for,' and then, just killed himself," said Vermont State Police Lt. Detective Brian Miller.
The shooting occurred at about 11:30 a.m., roughly ten minutes after a friend of Weisler's called police to warn them that Weisler was driving to the Williston barracks to commit suicide.
"State police members responded immediately to attempt to make contact with Weisler," Vermont State Police Public Information Officer, Stephanie Dasaro said.
But, Weisler managed to shoot himself "before troopers could intercede," Dasaro added.
On Friday, Vermont State Police received a call from an unidentified person that a girl had been sexually abused in 2008 in Watersville. An immediate investigation, conducted by detectives and the Department of Children and Family Service, led them to arrest Weisler on Saturday.
They booked him with lewd and lascivious conduct with a juvenile, but didn't release details about the alleged abuse nor any information on the evidence against Weisler.
After posting $10,000 bond, authorities released Weisler from the Northwest Correctional Center. He was scheduled to appear in Lamoille County Court today for arraignment on the charges.
Miller said he is uncertain why Weisler, who was married and had children, decided to kill himself outside the barracks in Williston, when his arrest was handled by the Northwest Unit for Special Investigations in Waterville.
"This building doesn't have anything to do with him," Miller said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington will conduct an autopsy on Weisler sometime today, police said.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
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