BURLINGTON –– A 14-year-old Burlington resident, Hussein S. Mohamed, pleaded not guilty in Vermont Superior Court on Tuesday to charges stemming from the fatal shooting of fellow teen Madden Gouveia in Bristol.
Mohamed also refuted charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault, linked to allegations of brandishing a loaded weapon in a car with three others.
Despite initial claims of a drive-by shooting, investigators identified Mohamed as the primary suspect. A 9-mm handgun was later retrieved near the scene, though its origin remains unclear.
Judge David Fenster permitted Mohamed to stay with his parents under strict conditions, including a 24-hour curfew. Exceptions are made for school, medical needs, therapy, and court dates.
This case has intensified debates on juvenile prosecution, with Vermont laws permitting charging youths as young as 10 as adults for severe offenses.
The legislative adjustment dates back to a 1981 high-profile case.
Gouveia, despite medical intervention at the UVM Medical Center, did not survive his injuries.
