A man was arrested for allegedly killing his father, stepmother, and her teen son inside their Vermont home and reporting the crime to authorities. Brian Crossman Jr., 22, is accused of fatally shooting his father, local official Brian Crossman, 46, his wife Erica, 41, and her 13-year-old son Colin Taft in the rural town of Pawlet near the New York state border. The Granville, New York native was arrested by New York State Police and charged with three counts of aggravated murder. He was ordered to be held without bail pending his extradition back to Vermont.
The victims were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home, with Brian Crossman shot in the head and torso, Erica in the head, and Colin with multiple gunshot wounds. A gun and shell casings were recovered from the scene. Crossman Jr. called 911 to report the incident, claiming he found his family slain after going for a walk. However, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in his story, leading to his arrest. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, with family members mentioning Crossman Jr.’s troubled relationship with his father and issues with mental health and aggression.
Crossman Jr.’s father and wife had only married in June on their family farm, where they were working to make a fresh start. Crossman Sr. had been elected to the Pawlet Select Board, and neighbors were shocked by the tragic events. Family members revealed that Crossman Jr. had a history of mental health issues, a learning disability, and had displayed aggressive behavior in the past. Furthermore, searches related to serial killers and cold case murders were found on his phone. The case has left the community reeling, as the family was known for their efforts to clean up and run the family farm.
Crossman Jr. appeared in Warren County Court in Lake George, New York, where he was officially charged with aggravated murder. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the shooting. The brutal nature of the crime and the involvement of a family member have shocked and saddened those in the Vermont community. As Crossman Jr. awaits extradition to Vermont to face trial, questions surrounding his motivations and mental state leading up to the killings continue to be at the forefront of the case.
Neighbors and relatives have expressed their disbelief and sorrow over the tragic event, sharing memories of the family and their farm. The peaceful town of Pawlet has been shaken by the violent deaths of three of its residents and the arrest of one of their own. The tight-knit community is struggling to come to terms with the horrific crime that has forever changed the lives of those involved. As the investigation progresses and details emerge, the full extent of the tragedy continues to unfold in the small Vermont town near the New York border.
The case of Brian Crossman Jr. and the murders of his family members have left many searching for answers and trying to understand how such a heinous crime could have occurred. The sudden and violent deaths of the victims have sent shockwaves through the community and sparked conversations about mental health, family dynamics, and the impact of violence on small towns. As the legal process moves forward and more information is revealed, the residents of Pawlet and surrounding areas must come together to support one another and find a way to heal from this devastating loss. The healing process will be long and difficult, but with time, love, and support, the community can begin to rebuild and move forward from this tragic event.
