Tyshawn Lee, 23, of Winooski pleaded innocent to a long list of charges Wednesday, January 24 and is being held without bail until an April court hearing. Lee is charged with holding hostages when barricaded inside T.Ruggs Tavern, an Elmwood Avenue bar, after fleeing police Monday, January 22. 

According to Burlington police, the court affidavit alleges that he committed the crimes of Kidnapping (x2). Possession of Destructive Devices (x2).Aggravated Assault, Fourth Degree Arson (x2). Assault of Protected Professional with Bodily Fluids (x3), and Resisting Arrest when he created two Molotov cocktails while holding hostages inside T. Ruggs Tavern.

Following his arrest, Lee spat on an officer and two healthcare professionals while he was receiving medical attention at the University of Vermont Medical Center. 

Lee’s criminal history record includes 3 Felony Charges, 2 Felony Charges, 15 Misdemeanor Charges, 2 Misdemeanor Convictions, 6 Assaultive Crime Charges, 2 Assaultive Crime Convictions, 1 Assault on Officer Charges, and 1. Dangerous/Deadly Weapon Related Charges, police said. 

Last August, Lee allegedly attempted a carjacking in Williston (see August 2023 Vermont Daily Chronicle).

He was given a deferred three-year sentence for the assaultive crime convictions, with the deferral believed to be predicated on his not committing additional crimes, police said.  Source – Burlington Police Department