A 33-year-old Mountain Top man has been lodged in a Vermont prison in connection with a Saturday evening drive-by shooting outside a mall, according to the Vermont State Police.

Police said Michael Filinuk III voluntarily appeared at the Rutland City Police Department around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, minutes after the shooting, and announced that he was surrendering himself for the shooting.

According to the release:

Filinuk was lodged at the Marble Valley Correctional Center on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $50,000, and he will be arraigned at the Rutland Superior Court on Monday.

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Police and emergency crews responded to the Green Mountain Shopping Plaza in Rutland Town at 8:19 p.m. for a report of a 45-year-old woman from Rutland City who had been shot by a passing motorist in the parking lot.

The victim, who was not identified, had just left Petco and was about to enter her parked vehicle when she was shot in her right arm by a passing motorist.

The woman made her way to Radio Shack, where she received help pending the arrival of emergency personnel.

She was treated and released from the Rutland Regional Medical Center for a gunshot-induced arm laceration.

After surrendering at the police station, Filinuk did not resist being placed into police custody. A 2013 Audi SUV registered to Filinuk was parked outside the station.

State police said the investigation is in its early stages.

“At this time, no motive for the shooting has been established. The initial indication is that the victim and Filinuk do not know each other,” the release said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at (802) 773-9101.

Luzerne County property records indicate Filinuk lives on Ice Harvest Drive in Rice Township. He purchased a 2,500-square-foot house on 2.8 acres for $347,500 in June 2013, and the property is listed as his primary residence, records show.

Michael Filinuk III
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_shootingmug-1.jpeg.optimal.jpegMichael Filinuk III

By Jennifer Learn-Andes

jandes@timesleader.com

Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.