Vermont State Police (VSP) have now identified the victim in the Thursday afternoon killing along the D&H Rail Trail in Castleton as 77-year-old Honoree Fleming of Castleton.

According to the autopsy report released late Friday afternoon, Fleming died of a gunshot wound to the head, not from a stabbing, as was first reported by Vermont State University at Castleton officials when they announced a shelter-in-place advisory for the campus. The slaying took place on a section of the trail near the school.

A manhunt is underway for a white male described as being about 5’10” tall, with short dark hair, wearing a dark gray T-shirt and carrying a black backpack. A witness described this individual to Castleton Police, indicating he was walking north in the direction of the Castleton University campus. There was also a report  of gunshots in the area at the same time.

Police are advising residents of the area to keep their doors locked and do not leave keys in any vehicle. They are also asking that businesses and residents in that area who have surveillance systems please check their cameras for any sign of this person. Police advised everyone in Castleton, Poultney and Fair Haven to stay vigilant. This person should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Vermont State Police.

If anyone has any information that might be helpful to the investigation, they are asked to call troopers at 802-773-9101.

Castleton University remains under a shelter-in-place advisory. The campus was closed Friday and all events were canceled as a precaution. The school is currently on fall break and students are asked not to return to their dorms until Sunday at the earliest. The Slate Valley Union School district had no classes scheduled for Friday as it was to be an in-service day for teachers. The district canceled all sporting events both home and away for the day.

As soon as the Lakes Region Free Press and NYVT receive any further updates from law enforcement we will pass the information along.