Vermont State Police alerted officials across New England about a suspect they believe was involved in the shooting of a St. Johnsbury police officer Friday night.

The public has been told to be on the watch for Scott Mason, 38, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, who police believe could be potentially armed and dangerous.

Mason is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes, according to a Vermont State Police statement.

At about 4:30 p.m. Friday, a St. Johnsbury police officer responded to what was reported as a domestic violence incident at Mason’s apartment at 261 Portland St. The unnamed police officer was shot at least once when he arrived and wounded, police said.

The officer was flown by helicopter to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire for treatment. His condition was stable as of Friday night and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, state police said.

Mason is also wanted on an arrest warrant for failure to appear on 26 counts of forgery that are not connected with the shooting, police said. The warrant is extraditable through New England and New York and carries a $5,000 bail.

Vermont State Police encouraged the public to “be aware of their surroundings” and be sure to lock their doors and vehicles.

The investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone sees Mason or knows where he is, they should call the Vermont State Police barracks in St. Johnsbury at 802-748-3111. Submit anonymous tips by texting keyword VTIPS to 274637 (CRIMES), calling 844-84-VTIPS or visiting https://vtips.us.

There are plenty of beautiful lakes in Vermont, but it’s a matter of debate which one is the prettiest.

But, one long-running magazine is boldly asserting that they know which lake is the most beautiful.

Reader’s Digest published a list of the prettiest lakes in each state in the country, from Arizona’s Lake Pleasant to Wyoming’s Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

“Whether you prefer lakes known for their swimming, fishing, or charming surrounding towns, we’ve got you covered,” the Reader’s Digest article said.

With so many iconic bodies of water in the Green Mountain State, such as Lake Willoughby and Lake Saint Catherine, Reader’s Digest had plenty of lakes to pick from.

Their choice for Vermont’s prettiest lake likely won’t surprise Burlington residents.

Lake Champlain named as prettiest lake in Vermont

The Reader’s Digest article said that Lake Champlain is Vermont’s prettiest lake.

“It’s so massive, in fact, that it’s actually the sixth-largest lake in the United States after the five Great Lakes,” Reader’s Digest said. “A surface area of 314,000 acres means there’s plenty of room to swim, boat, fish, paddle, and more.”

Lake Champlain sits between Quebec, New York and Vermont.

“On Lake Champlain’s sunny shores, visitors can hike, bike, camp, and picnic,” the magazine said. “There are even rumors of an ancient lake monster named Champ to add a little folklore fun to this legendary region.”

What are the deepest bodies of water in Vermont? Here’s what to know.

What is a lake?

A lake is a large body of water – either slowly moving or standing – the occupies an inland basin.

Exactly what metric distinguishes a lake from a pond is largely undefined.

Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com.

Vermont State Police are searching for a man alleged to have shot a police officer in St. Johnsbury late Friday afternoon.

The suspect, identified by police as 38-year-old Scott Mason, lives in a second-floor apartment at 261 Portland St. in St. Johnsbury. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous, and if anyone who sees him should call 911.

Mason is described as 5’11” tall, weighing about 220 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m. Friday when St. Johnsbury police responded to a report of a domestic violence incident at Mason’s apartment. Upon arrival, a St. Johnsbury police officer was shot at least one time and wounded.

The officer was taken by medical helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he continues to receive treatment. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known.