Burlington Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing a Loaded Firearm on Church Street

RUTLAND - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 6, 2026, Noor Mohamed, age 26, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 72 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Mohamed previously pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the time of his offense, Mohamed was on federal supervised release stemming from a 2021 narcotics conviction. Judge Lanthier also sentenced Mohamed to 12 months, to run concurrently, for violating the terms of supervised release by committing this offense.

According to court records, Mohamed illegally possessed a loaded handgun on Church Street in Burlington, Vermont in the early morning hours of June 21, 2025. While crowds of people walked around shortly after the area bars had closed, Mohamed was in a fight with another male, pulled out a firearm and chambered a round. Mohamed's actions caused panic by multiple pedestrians, who ran north on Church Street yelling about a man with a gun. Multiple Burlington Police Department officers quickly identified Mohamed as the suspect in possession of a firearm, and tried to detain him. Mohamed ignored the commands of officers, physically resisted, and repeatedly reached toward the gun in his waistband, resulting in a harrowing and highly dangerous three-minute struggle. During the struggle, an agitated, hostile crowd gathered in close proximity to the officers and shouted at the officers as they attempted to gain control of the firearm and maintain public safety. Officers were eventually able to successfully detain Mohamed and removed the loaded firearm from his pants.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: "Thanks to the careful, responsible, and courageous decision-making of the Burlington Police Officers who responded to the report of Mr. Mohamed's possession of a firearm in the early morning hours of June 21, 2025, no one was injured or killed that night. Mr. Mohamed's exceedingly dangerous conduct created a harrowing, volatile, and fraught situation that could have ended tragically but for the skill and bravery of the responding officers. This event is a frightening reminder of the profound demands placed all too often on law enforcement officers, and the uncertainty and risks they face each day when they show up in service and commitment to our communities. The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont will continue to work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners across the state to help protect our communities by prosecuting violent offenders who illegally possess firearms." First Assistant United States Attorney Ophardt also commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Chief of the Burlington Police Department, Shawn Burke, stated: "Noor Mohamed is another example of a violent, armed individual who has subjected our city to unacceptable levels of harm. The actions of our officers were selfless, precise, and disciplined. The Burlington Police Department appreciates our partners at the United States Attorney's Office and the ATF. The resolution of this case reflects the level of accountability Mohamed deserves."

Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston Field Division stated: "Noor Mohamed was armed with a loaded gun, menacing a crowd of people, while on probation from a previous conviction, and struggled with officers. The Burlington Police Department's response to Mohamed was outstanding, and today's sentence reflects the severity of the risk Mohamed created to both the public and the police. ATF is proud to stand with our partners at the Burlington Police Department."

The prosecutor was Assistant United States Attorney Nicole P. Cate. Mohamed was represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.