PAWLET, VT – A horrifying incident recently unfolded in Vermont, with a well-regarded town official, his wife, and her young son being found shot to death in their residence. State police recognized the victims as Brian Crossman, 46, a Select Board member in Pawlet, along with his wife, Erica Crossman, 41, and her 13-year-old son, Colin Taft. The town of Pawlet, home to approximately 1,400 residents, is located near the New York State line.
According to a Tuesday night news release by the Vermont State Police, the unfortunate discovery of the corpses occurred on Sunday. Each death has been classified as murder. Even though the investigation is ongoing, no arrests have been made yet. However, reports indicate that the police have a person of interest who is believed to be related to the victims.
As per the results of the autopsies, Brian Crossman died due to gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Erica Crossman’s death was attributed to a gunshot wound to the head, and Colin Taft succumbed to several gunshot wounds.
The members of the Pawlet Select Board, an entity constituted by local residents to supervise town expenditures and introduce ordinances, convened their routine Tuesday night meeting. A bouquet of flowers adorned the now-vacant seat of Crossman.
Mike Beecher, the Select Board’s chairperson, read a heartfelt statement paying tribute to Crossman as a dedicated community member, friend, and neighbor. Beecher expressed how the tragic loss has deeply affected the community, leaving everyone grappling with grief.