Brian Crossman, 46, a dedicated member of the Pawlet Selectboard, his wife Erica Crossman, 41, and her son, Colin Taft, 13, were found shot to death in their home on Vermont Route 133 this past Sunday.
The Vermont State Police, who identified the victims on Tuesday, have ruled all three deaths as homicides following an initial investigation into what was described as suspicious circumstances.
The bodies were discovered after local law enforcement responded to a call about a suspicious person in the vicinity early Sunday morning. The medical examination revealed that Brian Crossman suffered gunshot wounds to the head and torso, Erica Crossman was killed by a gunshot to the head, and young Colin Taft endured multiple gunshot wounds.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the person who made the initial 911 call, found in blood-drenched clothing near a local school, was questioned but not identified as a suspect by the police. This individual claimed to have discovered the bodies, according to statements made to local news outlets.
The Pawlet Selectboard, where Crossman served, convened for their regular meeting on Tuesday night under a cloud of grief. The absence of Crossman was palpable, with his usual seat left vacant and adorned with flowers as a silent tribute.
Mike Beecher, the board’s chairperson, expressed the community’s sorrow, stating, “Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member who just this year stepped up to join the Pawlet Selectboard. This tragedy that struck him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shaken and grieving.”
Brian Crossman, known in the community not only for his recent political engagement but also as a lineman for Green Mountain Power, had just embarked on his political journey with a one-year term on the board. He and Erica had recently taken over the farm where the tragic event occurred, moving forward with their life together after marrying in June.
The town of Pawlet, nestled near the New York state border with a population of about 1,400, is not accustomed to such violent acts, making the event even more jarring for its residents. The community, known for its tight-knit nature, now faces the challenge of coming to terms with this loss.
Vermont State Police are actively investigating the case, urging anyone with information to come forward. They’ve set up a tip line for anonymous submissions, hopeful that community assistance could lead to breakthroughs in the case.
As Pawlet mourns, questions linger about the motive behind this brutal act. The investigation continues, with law enforcement piecing together the last moments of the Crossman family, seeking justice for a town official, his wife, and her son, whose lives were tragically cut short in what should have been the safety of their own home.
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