by Guy Page

Hamsa Velic, the South Burlington teenager accused of attempted murder for striking a pedestrian with a car Jan. 11 at the intersection of Church and Main in Burlington, is being held on $1 million bail, Burlington police say.

“BPD learned on Friday, January 19, that the court held Mr. Velic on $1,000,000 (one million dollars) bail and a condition of release to a responsible adult. In anticipation of that release, the Department of Corrections will conduct a review to determine the suitability of home detention,” the BPD statement said.

Velic, 18, allegedly struck the victim with his car because he reportedly was angry that his victim had targeted him with snowballs.

After officers responded to the scene, the victim was transported to the hospital and treated for his injuries. He is not currently hospitalized.

Police say a dark-colored vehicle followed the victim in the vicinity of downtown. The vehicle’s operator made multiple apparent attempts to strike the victim with the vehicle. Eventually the vehicle crossed onto the sidewalk and accelerated into the victim at the intersection of Church Street and Main Street, sending the victim into the air. The vehicle then drove away. 

The victim was injured and stunned. After a few moments the victim rose and entered the empty roadway to retrieve items that had been dispersed by the impact. At that point the suspect vehicle returned and, at a high rate of speed, clipped the victim a second time in the street. The victim fled to the sidewalk. The vehicle returned again and made another, unsuccessful attempt to strike the victim on the sidewalk before fleeing.

On Friday, January 12, BPD officers located the vehicle and arrested Velic. He was taken into custody and interviewed by investigators. The arresting detective recommended a charge of first-degree attempted murder because the suspect allegedly stalked the victim across multiple locations and a span of time, and willfully and deliberately struck the victim with his vehicle more than once.