CASTLETON, VERMONT: Dr Honoree Fleming, 77, a retired dean and professor at Castleton University, was killed by a gunman while walking on a trail near the campus on October 5 afternoon.
Her husband, Ron Powers, a 1973 Pulitzer Prize-winning author, described her as a “sterling heart and soul” in a heartbreaking Facebook post. “She has taken far more than half my own heart and soul with her,” he wrote
Fleming died days before what would have been the couple’s 45th wedding anniversary.
How was Dr Honoree Fleming killed?
Fleming, 77, was shot once or twice in the side of her head and died instantly, according to Powers.
He said the killer “walked away” after the shooting. A witness told the police that the suspect was a white male, about 5′10″ with dark hair and wearing a dark gray T-shirt and a black backpack.
The autopsy, as per AP, also found that Castleton died from a gunshot wound. She was located on the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail about a mile from University campus.
The event forced the closure of the campus which is expected to open on Monday.
Who killed Dr Honoree Fleming?
Apart from the witness description of the suspect, the Vermont State Police are reportedly searching the area with K-9 Units, but had no other information to work with, as per Fox News.
Police has declared the suspect as armed and dangerous. They also asked the residents to remain alert and report any suspicion. He was last seen walking towards the Vermont State University Castleton campus.
The searches for suspect which started on Thursday continued on Friday with State police conducting house to house canvass of the area near the trail, as per NBC5.
"Police believe that it was random, but all possibilities remain open," Powers wrote further in his post.
The state police has also requested everyone in the area to reveiw and not delete the surveillance footage from afternoon to evening of October 5.
However, so far as per Maj Dan Trudeau, head of the state police criminal division, some footage reviewed from the area "hasn’t been much of a help."
Honoree Fleming was beloved by faculty, staff and students
The university president, Mike Smith, issued a statement expressing his condolences to Fleming’s family and friends.
"Honoree was a part of the Castleton family and was beloved by faculty, staff, and students," the statement added, praising her contributions to the campus and the state.
“Our hearts go out to the members of our community who taught with Honoree and had her as a beloved teacher during their time at Castleton. Our deepest sympathies go to her husband, Ron, family, and friend," the statement continued.
“This is an unbelievable tragedy for the Castleton campus and for all of Vermont State University,” Ron said, adding “Honoree will be deeply missed.”
Ron added in his post, "I am still in shock. There are moments when I wish to god I could cry. I will."
