The son of a Vermont town official, Brian Crossman Jr., has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the fatal shooting of his father, his new stepmother, and his stepbrother. The victims, Brian Crossman Sr., Erica Pawlusiak Crossman, and Colin Taft, were found dead in their Pawlet, Vermont home on September 15. Crossman Sr. was serving as a town official at the time of his death. Crossman Jr. was arrested in Granville, New York, where he lives, after Vermont State Police obtained an arrest warrant for three counts of aggravated murder against him.
After the alleged crimes, Crossman Jr. called Vermont police to report that he had found his family dead. He went to meet with police at Wells Village School, wearing blood-soaked clothes, and then accompanied them back to the scene of the crime. Initial reports from Crossman Jr. suggested that he found his family dead upon returning from a late-night walk. However, the medical examiner ruled all three deaths as homicides, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death for each victim. Vermont State Police connected Crossman Jr. to the killings through significant evidence, including digital information, statements, injuries, and various interviews.
Crossman Jr.’s grandmother revealed to police that he was visiting his family for the weekend and that he had a troubled relationship with his father due to mental health and learning disabilities. She also believed that Crossman Jr. was capable of committing such an act as a triple murder and was proficient with firearms. Crossman Jr. was discharged from Glens Falls Hospital, where he had been admitted for psychiatric issues, upon his arrest. Currently, he is being held without bail on a fugitive from justice charge in New York, with the possibility of extradition to Vermont.
Private calling hours for Crossman Sr. will be held at a funeral home in Vermont on September 27. The shocking incident has left the community of Pawlet reeling and seeking answers for the devastating loss of three innocent lives. The tragic deaths of Brian Crossman Sr., Erica Pawlusiak Crossman, and Colin Taft have raised concerns about the mental health and stability of Brian Crossman Jr., and have highlighted the importance of addressing mental health issues to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The town of Pawlet is mourning the loss of one of its officials while grappling with the realization of the violent nature of the deaths. The events surrounding the murders have raised questions about the relationship between father and son, the mental state of the accused, and the circumstances that led to such a violent act. The investigation into the murders continues as authorities work to unravel the events that led to the tragic loss of three lives. The community is left seeking closure and understanding in the aftermath of this horrific crime that has shaken the small Vermont town to its core.
