Bennington, VT News

Bennington Police Update Charges in Park Street Shooting and Crash

Bennington Police charged Griford Saupin with attempted murder following a July 25 shooting inside a moving vehicle on Park Street. The incident caused a multi-car crash, leaving the driver critically injured at Albany Medical Center.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 12, 2026

Randy Breland, Managing Editor

Bennington Police Update Charges in Park Street Shooting and Crash

A violent sequence of events on a busy Bennington street has left one driver fighting for his life, three vehicles damaged, and local law enforcement coordinating across state lines to bring a suspect to justice. The July 25 incident at Park and Spring Streets highlights ongoing public safety efforts across Bennington County and nearby communities.

Why it matters here

For residents in Bennington, Old Bennington, North Bennington, and neighboring towns such as Shaftsbury, Pownal, and Arlington, a violent altercation on a daytime residential street serves as a stark reminder of public safety challenges in our area. The collision required an extensive regional emergency response, drawing first responders from multiple local rescue squads and law enforcement agencies across state lines.

Details of the shooting and chain-reaction crash

According to detectives with the Bennington Police Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the incident unfolded on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at approximately 5:05 p.m. A 2024 Subaru Crosstrek carrying four occupants, two men and two women, was traveling northbound on Park Street near the intersection of Spring Street.

Police reported that a dispute broke out inside the moving vehicle. During the argument, 49-year-old Griford Saupin of Bennington allegedly shot the 38-year-old male driver. The gunshot caused the driver to lose control and potentially lose consciousness while behind the wheel.

The unguided Subaru then slammed into three parked vehicles along Park Street. The impact triggered a severe chain reaction, causing one of the parked cars to flip onto its roof in the roadway.

First responders arriving on the scene found a chaotic situation involving multiple damaged vehicles and injured individuals. Emergency teams involved in the response included:

Bennington Police Department
Bennington Fire Department
Bennington Rescue
Pownal Rescue
Arlington Rescue
Albany County Sheriff’s Department and Albany Police Department

Upon rendering medical aid, officers discovered that the 38-year-old driver had suffered a gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel rushed the victim to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to the Level 1 Trauma Center at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, with life-threatening conditions.

A third occupant in the Subaru sustained serious injuries that were deemed non-life-threatening. That passenger also received medical care following the crash.

Charges and current suspect status

Saupin was also injured during the multi-vehicle collision. Paramedics transported him to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, and he was later transferred to Albany Medical Center for further treatment.

The Bennington Police Department has charged Saupin with several felony offenses, including:

Attempted Murder
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Violent Crime
Reckless Endangerment
Criminal Threatening

As of August 11, 2026, Saupin remained hospitalized at Albany Medical Center under armed guard by the Albany County Sheriff’s Department and Albany Police Department. Authorities report that Saupin will face extradition back to Vermont to be formally arraigned once medical professionals clear him for release.

Prior law enforcement contacts

According to Vermont State Police records from the Shaftsbury barracks, Saupin was already facing legal troubles prior to the July 25 shooting. State police had arrested Saupin on July 16, 2026, in connection with a motor vehicle theft reported on June 28, 2026, in nearby Woodford, Vermont.

Charges from that earlier incident in Woodford included Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny from a Vehicle, Operation Without Owner’s Consent, and Driving with a Criminally Suspended License.

Police seek fleeing passenger as investigation continues

While Saupin remains in custody in New York, the investigation into the Park Street incident remains active. Bennington Police are working to identify and locate a fourth occupant of the vehicle who fled the crash scene on foot before officers arrived.

Lt. Camillo “Cam” Grande of the Bennington Police Department noted that detectives are still working to determine the exact motive behind the altercation inside the moving vehicle. Investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting, the collision, or the fleeing passenger to contact the Bennington Police Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

What’s next for the community

Local law enforcement officials continue to coordinate with prosecutors in Vermont and law enforcement in Albany, New York, to arrange Saupin’s return to Bennington County for arraignment. Residents with information regarding the unidentified passenger or additional details about the incident are encouraged to submit tips to local police as the case moves forward in court.