BROWNINGTON, VT — A man was arrested following a hours-long standoff with police after allegedly discharging a firearm and threatening victims on May 12, 2026.
Troopers assigned to the Vermont State Police Derby Barracks received a report of a disturbance on Evansville Road at 6:35 p.m.
It was alleged Michael Riendeau Jr., 45, of Brownington, had discharged a firearm and threatened victims’ lives during the incident before returning to his residence with the firearm.
Police learned he was a subject of an active set of pre-trial conditions of release preventing him from owning firearms, along with a $10,000 bond, stemming from a previous incident of aggravated domestic assault.
Troopers and Orleans County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Riendeau’s residence, where he barricaded himself inside and refused to exit.
A search warrant was granted, and due to the nature of the incident members of the VSP Tactical Services Unit responded to the scene.
After several hours of negotiation, he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
Riendeau was transported to the VSP Derby Barracks for processing and ordered held without bail.
He was later lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility.
Riendeau was charged with first degree aggravated domestic assault, violating a condition of release (firearms) and criminal threatening.
