Years before he was accused in the grisly, triple slayings of his dad, stepmom and teenage step brother, Brian Crossman Jr., allegedly vowed to kill his Vermont politician father.
"One of these days, I'm going to kill him," the now-22-year-old murder suspect allegedly told his father's hunting buddy, Robert Taylor, Jr., in 2021, right after pointing a loaded rifle at his dad while the trio were out doing "coon dog" training in the New York woods, Crossman Jr.'s arrest warrant read.
Three years later, Crossman, Jr., would be suspected in the fatal shootings of Brian Crossman Sr., 46, Erica Crossman, 41, and Colin Taft, 13, at their Pawlet, Vermont, home, while he was visiting from Granville, New York, Sep. 13.
Crossman Jr. has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder. It's unclear if he entered a plea.
In the years leading up to the purported killings, Crossman Jr. and his father were said to have a troubled relationship due to the younger Crossman's "mental health and learning disability," according to the warrant.
Loved ones said Crossman Jr. possibly suffered from schizophrenia and dissociative identity disorder, putting a strain between the father and son, the documents state. He sought treatment from several psychiatric doctors throughout the years and lived with his mother, who was out of town with her husband at the time of the alleged murders.
Crossman Jr.'s 21-year-old sister, Rachael Crossman, allegedly told police her brother had always shown an interest in death. He "tortured frogs and kittens in the past," she told investigators, the warrant read.
According to their autopsies, Crossman Sr. was shot in the head and torso, Erica was shot in the head, and Colin suffered a gunshot wound to the head and calf.
Police responded to the scene after Crossman Jr. called 911 on Sept. 15 to report he found his family members dead from apparent shotgun wounds after returning from a midnight walk.
Responding officers alleged he was wearing bloodied clothing. An investigation of his internet history revealed he allegedly searched for information related to serial killers and unresolved murders, according to the warrant.
Crossman Sr. and Erica had just wed in July and he was recently elected to the Pawlet Selectboard when they were allegedly murdered.
