Son was staying with his father he had troubled relationship with for the weekend when he used two shotguns stored in the gun room to kill him, his stepmother and stepbrother; arrested

Vermont – In a harrowing case in Vermont, a 23-year-old New York man, identified as B. Crossman Jr., has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder in connection with the deaths of his 46-year-old father, B. Crossman Sr., his stepmother, Erica, 41, and his 13-year-old stepbrother, C. Taft. State Police announced on Friday that evidence indicates Crossman Jr. was the shooter in the tragic incident that occurred in Crossman Sr.’s residence.

The charges were filed after investigators gathered substantial evidence linking Crossman Jr. to the crime. Authorities allege that he used at least two shotguns, which were stored in a “gun room” in his father’s home, to carry out the killings. The motive behind the shootings has not been disclosed by the police.

The tragic event unfolded early on Sunday morning, September 15, inside the family home. According to an affidavit obtained by local news outlet, Crossman Jr., who had been staying with his father for the weekend, contacted police shortly before 4 a.m. He claimed that he had gone out for a walk and returned to find a gruesome scene, stating that his father, stepmother, and stepbrother were dead.

When officers met with Crossman Jr. in the parking lot of a local school, they noted that his clothes were stained with blood, and he was driving his father’s truck. Despite his account, police grew suspicious due to the physical evidence and inconsistencies in his story.

First responders arrived at the family home and discovered the bodies of Crossman Sr., Erica, and Taft inside. Investigators determined that the killings had occurred hours earlier. The use of firearms from the home’s gun room suggested that the perpetrator had knowledge of the family’s weapons.

Relatives and neighbors expressed shock at the incident. Crossman Jr.’s grandmother told police that he had a long history of mental health challenges, which she attributed to a troubled relationship with his father. She also mentioned that her grandson was proficient with firearms.

Following the initial investigation, Crossman Jr. was taken into custody by the New York State Police. He was later placed in a psychiatric hospital. On Friday, he had an initial appearance in court in New York. Extradition proceedings are underway to bring him back to Vermont to face charges.

As of now, no court date has been set for his trial in Vermont. If convicted of aggravated murder, Crossman Jr. could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The community is reeling from the tragedy, with many residents struggling to comprehend how such an event could occur in their small town.

Crossman Sr. was an active member of the community, having been elected earlier this year to the town’s select board. M. Beecher, the chairperson of the board, remembered him fondly. “Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member who just this year stepped up to join the Selectboard,” Beecher said. “This tragedy that struck him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shaken and grieving. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating loss.”

A neighbor noted that Crossman Sr. had recently taken over the family farm and was working diligently to make a new start. “He was cleaning it up and working the farm,” the neighbor said. “I think he was just trying to make a new start and trying to run the family farm. And, yeah, this is just the last thing I expected.”

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released further details about the possible motives or circumstances leading up to the shootings. Police continue to gather evidence and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

This heartbreaking incident has left a deep impact on the community. As legal proceedings move forward, the town mourns the loss of three of its members and grapples with the reality of such a tragic event occurring in their midst.