In the quiet community of Addison, Vermont, the life of 22-year-old Dawson McGrath, a Caucasian male, came to an unexpected and tragic end on the evening of Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Known for his willingness to always lend a helping hand, Dawson was a young man who enjoyed the outdoors, often found hunting, fishing, or snowmobiling. His hands were skilled in mechanics, frequently busy working on a demo car or tinkering with anything that had a motor.
On that Wednesday evening, at
approximately 7:53 p.m., emergency services received a 911 call reporting a person with a gunshot wound at a residence on Pleasant View Drive in Addison. Responders from the Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, the Addison Fire Department, and Vermont State Police troopers rushed to the scene. A Life-Net helicopter was also dispatched to provide critical air transport.
Dawson McGrath was found with what authorities would later describe as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was airlifted to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he succumbed to his injury. Detectives from Vermont's Bureau of Criminal Investigation joined the state troopers at the Addison address to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
Following the initial investigation, the Vermont State Police announced that their preliminary findings indicated the shooting was non-suspicious in nature. The incident was characterized as an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound. To definitively determine the cause and manner of death, Dawson's body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. In the wake of his death, there have been no reports of any arrests or suspects, as the investigation pointed towards a non-criminal event. The community was left to mourn a young man who was remembered for his generosity and his dedication to living life to the fullest.
