Man guilty of firing on cops in Washington County

A jury has convicted a Washington County man of attempted second-degree murder.

It was a hot summer night last July 7 when Matthew Parant, 38, was told by his landlord he was being evicted. It turns out Parant’s temper was even hotter.

After Parant threatened to kill his octogenarian landlord, the landlord called police. When police arrived, the drama turned into an all-night drama, during which Parant fired a shotgun and rifle in the direction of a state trooper and Washington County sheriff’s deputy.

Outside an old farm house on Jermaine Hill Lane in White Creek last summer, the situation quickly turned dangerous and volatile. Officers wound up in the crosshairs of Parant’s violent rage as soon as they arrived

“They were shot at, and the shots were close to them,” Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said.

Police body cam video illustrates the danger and the darkness, especially since neither of the officers could depend on timely backup.

“They’re the only two there for a good period of time,” Jordan pointed out. “It’s rural Washington County and response time can be tough.”

Parant’s violent and reckless behavior that night is not how a mentally stable person responds, said Jordan.

The jury convicted Parant Thursday afternoon.

“It was clear to them he was trying to shoot at people, but it wasn’t as clear that he knew it was a state trooper and a sheriff’s deputy,” he said.

Jordan also pointed out officers didn’t return fire because Parant’s girlfriend was in the house. They were also uncertain whether others might have been on the property.

Parant faces five to 25 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 21.