Croydon man killed in Central Vermont shooting

Shawn Spiker in an undated family photograph. (Family photograph)

Shawn Spiker in an undated family photograph. (Family photograph)

By EMMA ROTH-WELLS

Valley News Staff Writer

Published: 10-16-2024 8:00 PM

Modified: 10-17-2024 9:39 AM


CROYDON — A 34-year-old Croydon man was fatally shot in central Vermont early Monday morning, according to Vermont State Police.

Shawn Spiker was shot alongside Michael Perry, of Waterbury, Vt., at Kneeland Flats Trailer Park at around 12:45 a.m. Monday, police said in a news release.

An autopsy, completed by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, identified Spiker’s cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Perry, 57, was in stable condition at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

The two shooting victims were “acquaintances” Maj. Daniel Trudeau, of Vermont State Police, said in a Monday news conference.

No one is in custody, police said.

“Preliminary investigation by detectives indicates this shooting was an isolated, targeted event,” according to the state police news release.

Spiker’s death is being mourned by his brother, Edward, who is a member of the Croydon Selectboard.

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“We were raised by a single mother that he loved very much and she just wants answers and justice and so do I,” said Edward Spiker in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Shawn Spiker joined his brother in the Upper Valley a little over 10 years ago and started a job at a painting company in Newbury, N.H., Edward Spiker said. Spiker left the job a few years ago and had been “bouncing around” Vermont ever since.

Shawn Spiker was the father of a 14-year-old boy who lives in Pennsylvania, his brother said. He loved fishing, camping, live music and spending time with his nephews, added his brother.

“He had a really kind heart,” Edward Spiker said. “He had his demons, but he didn’t do anything to bring this upon himself.”

In 2015, Shawn Spiker was convicted of leaving the scene of accident that resulted in a death or injury, a felony, and driving with a revoked or suspended license, according to Sullivan County court records.

In January, he was convicted of operating a vehicle after being certified as a “habitual offender.” At the time of his death, Spiker faced the same charge, stemming from his arrest in June.

The investigation into Monday’s shooting is ongoing. Vermont State Police are asking for anyone with information in the shooting to call 802-229-9191 or leave an anonymous tip via their website by visiting https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

Emma Roth-Wells can be reached at erothwells@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.