A New York man has been arrested after allegedly murdering his father, stepmother and infant son inside their once-cozy Vermont cabin earlier this week.
Brian Crossman Jr., 22, is accused of fatally shooting his father, Brian Crossman, 46, his stepmother, Erica, 41, and her teenage son, Colin Taft, 13, at the couple’s Vermont home Sunday morning.
The Granville native was arrested by New York State Police on Friday and charged with three counts of aggravated murder.
Following his arrest, Crossman Jr. appeared in Warren County Court in Lake George, where he was held without bail pending extradition to Vermont.
The motive for the killings remains unclear, as police say their prime suspect called 911 to report the incident. He told investigators he had gone for a walk and returned home to find his family dead. WCAX reported.
Brian Crossman Jr., 22, is accused of fatally shooting his father, also Brian Crossman, 46, his stepmother, Erica, 41, and her teenage son, Colin Taft, 13, at the couple’s Vermont home Sunday morning.
The motive for the killings remains unclear, as police say their prime suspect called 911 to report the incident and told police he had gone for a walk and returned home to find his family dead.
On Friday, New York State Police arrested the Granville native and charged him with three counts of aggravated murder. Pictured: Crossman Jr.’s stepmother, Erica, and his son, Colin
Investigators quickly found inconsistencies in the 22-year-old’s story when police found the now prime suspect in blood-covered clothing at a school near his Vermont home.
Family members told the outlet that Crossman Jr. had a complicated relationship with his father, who had just been elected to the Pawlet Select Board.
Crossman Jr. has been diagnosed with a learning disability, a history of mental health issues and has had aggressive episodes in the past, his family said.
Police also said a search of Crossman Jr.’s phone revealed searches related to serial killers and cold case murders.
A neighbor and relative of Crossman said the farm where the murders occurred had been in the family for generations.
They also said Crossman and his wife, who married in June, recently took control of the farm from Crossman’s sister.
A neighbor and relative of Crossman said the farm where the murders occurred had been in the family for generations.
Family members told the outlet that Crossman Jr. had a complicated relationship with his father, who had just been elected to the Pawlet Select Board.
“I think he was just trying to start over and run the family farm. And yes, this is the last thing he expected,” the source said. Vermont News and Media.
Pawlet is a town of about 1,400 residents near the New York state line.
Crossman’s place at the table at Tuesday’s board meeting was covered with flowers. The select board is charged with overseeing city spending and enacting ordinances.
“Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hard-working member of the community who joined the Pawlet Select board of directors this year,” Chairman Mike Beecher said in a statement.
“This tragedy that affected him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shocked and saddened. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating loss.”
