Illegal immigrant faces federal gun charge in South Burlington shooting

Illegal immigrant faces federal gun charge in South Burlington shooting

Key Facts:

• Defendant: Michael A. Wilson, 24, from Kingston, Jamaica (living in Burlington).

  • Charge: Possession of a firearm while being unlawfully present in the United States.

  • Federal Court: Wilson is held without bail in federal custody.

• Incident:

  • Date: June 28, 2023.

  • Location: Outside the Barnes & Noble bookstore, 102 Dorset Street, South Burlington.

  • Victim: Richardo Wright, 32, was shot in the right shoulder and taken to UVM Medical Center.

  • Weapon: Glock 19X 9mm, found with seven shell casings at the scene.

• Context:

  • Prior Conflict: Wilson and Wright had an argument earlier that morning (June 28) at Red Square bar on Church Street, Burlington, over a mutual female friend.

  • Aftermath: Wilson left the bar, returned with a firearm, and shot Wright outside Barnes & Noble.

  • Witnesses: Multiple 911 callers reported gunfire. A black male (Wilson) wearing a black t-shirt and bucket cap was seen fleeing the scene.

• Wilson’s Background:

  • Immigration Status: Wilson overstayed a 6-month visitor visa in 2023 and had no legal status in the U.S.

  • Firearm Purchase: A woman bought him the gun as a birthday gift in October 2022. She was unaware he was not legally allowed to possess it due to his immigration status.

  • Fleeing the Scene: After the shooting, Wilson was believed to have fled to Connecticut, where he was later arrested.

• Investigation:

  • Searches: Police found evidence including a Jamaican passport during a search at his hotel room in the nearby Anchorage Inn on Dorset Street.

  • Gun Purchase: The ATF traced the gun back to a woman who had purchased it for Wilson.

• Federal Response:

  • Collaboration: Federal agencies, including ATF, U.S. Border Patrol, and local police departments, tracked and arrested Wilson in North Hartford, Connecticut.

  • Prosecution: Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher emphasized the importance of enforcing firearms laws against foreign nationals unlawfully present in the U.S.

• Potential Penalty:

  • If convicted, Wilson faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

  • The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative targeting violent crime, illegal immigration, and transnational criminal organizations.

Additional Information:

• Federal Detention: U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Wilson’s detention due to the violent nature of the shooting and the risk he poses to the community and the flight risk.

• Law Enforcement Praise: Drescher highlighted the teamwork between various law enforcement agencies to bring Wilson into custody.