Vermont DCF Worker Fatally Shot After Alleged Custody Dispute

A Vermont Department of Children and Families worker was fatally shot on Friday by a woman a few hundred yards from the state courthouse in Barre, Vt.

The victim, identified as Lara Sobel, a veteran DCF worker was shot at close proximity when she left the DCF office in Barre, Vt., according to police. The suspect, Jody Herring, was apprehended by several witnesses at the scene is expected to be arraigned Monday on a homicide charge.

“While we won’t know all the details for some time, the initial reports are horrific and break my heart,” Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin said in a statement. According to state officials, the incident is in connection with the employee’s work for DCF.

Herring, whose child is in the state’s care, lost custody of the 9-year-old child on July 10. Officials said Herring was upset over the loss of custody of her child, the Times Argus reports.

The next day, three of Herring’s relatives were found deceased at a home in Berlin, Vt. According to police, the victims were identified as Regina Herring, 43, Julie Falzarano, 73 and Rhonda Herring, 48, all of Berlin. Shell casings were found at the scene and at least two of the victims had apparent gunshot wounds.

Police are investigating whether there is a connection with the homicide in Barre.

As a precaution, Gov. Shumlin ordered for security procedures in state buildings to be reviewed and provide any additional measures immediately. DCF staff was directed to only go out on emergency calls over the weekend accompanied by law enforcement.

“Our prayers and thoughts tonight and in the coming days are with all the employees in Barre, their families and especially the family, friends and co-workers of the employee killed,” President of the Vermont State Employees’ Association Shelley Martin said in a statement.

House Speaker Shap Smith wrote on Facebook, “Devastated and heartbroken by the news of the shooting of a DCF employee in Barre City. My thoughts and prayers go out to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues.”

The Vermont State Police are working collaboratively with the Barre and Berlin police and the investigation remains ongoing, state officials said. Officials added that there is no broader threat to state employees or to the general public.

Police are interviewing witnesses and checking to see if Herring and Sobel knew each other beyond the July 10 case, the Free Press reports. Sobel is survived by a husband and two daughters.

Gov. Shumlin ordered flags in Vermont to fly at half-staff Monday through Wednesday in honor of Sobel. He called for the state to pull together and come to terms with these heinous events. 

“The employees at DCF deal with the most challenging family situations that one can imagine. They do the work out of their dedication to the children and families of this great state. To lose one of our own in the course of that duty is shocking and heartbreaking,” Gov. Shumlin said. “My heart goes out to all the families, friends, and loved ones who have been affected by these tragedies.”

Read the full Burlington Free Press coverage here.

Read the full Times Argus coverage here.

Image courtesy WPTZ reporter Jarred Hill, used with permission

Mugshot of Jodi Herring, via Vermont State Police