By Michael Donoghue, Vermont News First

A version of this story appeared in the Times Argus and the Rutland Herald

The son of a Pawlet selectboard member has been arrested on charges he killed his father along with his new wife and her son last weekend, Vermont State Police said this afternoon.

Brian Crossman Jr., 22, of Granville, N.Y., who has a history of mental health issues, is charged with three counts of aggravated murder — committing murders in the course of other murders, officials said.

Rutland County State’s Attorney Ian Sullivan charged the younger Crossman with the fatal shootings of his father, Brian Crossman Sr., 46, his stepmother, Erica (Pawlusiak) Crossman, 41, and his stepbrother, Colin Taft, 13, all of Pawlet.

Each felony charge carries a penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

New York State Police arrested the younger Crossman as a fugitive from justice Friday morning as he was getting discharged from the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Hospital where he had been admitted on Sunday night for psychiatric issues, officials said. Glens Falls Police Officer Samantha McConnell was summoned to the hospital to help with the admission.

The younger Crossman was identified as a person of interest shortly after the triple shooting was reported about 3:45 a.m. Sunday. Police seized his blood-stained pants, shirt and socks as possible evidence. The younger Crossman was one of the callers to police, who agreed to meet him at the Wells Village School.

The younger Crossman asked police about his future.

“So what’s going to happen. Am I gonna like go to the hospital or go to jail or am I gonna go with my aunt or just go home?” state police quoted him as saying.

The younger Crossman, who has a history of psychiatric issues, including schizophrenia, maintained he had gone for a walk at midnight and came back to the Pawlet house to find the three dead relatives, state police said in court papers. There were multiple shotguns throughout the house, police said.

Crossman told police that he tried to pull his father out of the house in an effort to try to get aid for him, police said. His father was found near a door. His wife was in a downstairs bedroom and the teen-ager was in a upstairs bedroom, police said.

Investigators later brought Crossman to the state police barracks in Rutland, where he invoked his Constitutional right to remain silent, police said.

The medical examiner determined Brian Crossman Sr. died from gunshot wounds to the head and torso, Erica Crossman died from a gunshot wound to the head, and Colin Taft died from multiple gunshot wounds.

All three deaths were ruled homicides by the medical examiner. Both a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge shotgun were believed used in the shootings, police said.

Detective Sgt. Tyson Kinney prepared an elaborate 27-page single-spaced typed affidavit of probable cause that was used to issue the arrest warrant. It included a picture of Crossman in his bloodied clothes.

Crossman and his wife, who got married in June, were longtime employees at Green Mountain Power.

Crossman, the father, had been called out by GMP on Saturday for an emergency line issue and is believed to have returned home about 12:45 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Evidence shows the killings occurred early Sunday morning, inside the family home on Vermont 133 that Crossman Sr. shared with his wife and stepson, state police said.

The younger Crossman had been living with his mother and stepfather Crystal and Ernie Bassett of Granville, N.Y.

The Bassetts were headed to Buffalo, N.Y. for the weekend and plans were made for Crossman Jr. to visit his father and new relatives for the weekend, state police said.

The younger Crossman appeared in a Warren County Court in Lake George, N.Y. on Friday afternoon. A judge ordered him held without bail at the Warren County Jail pending a hearing in county court.

It was unclear when Crossman would be brought to Vermont. He will need to waive extradition to Vermont in county court.

The Vermont State Police investigation identified significant evidence that linked Crossman Jr. to the killings, including digital information, statements, injuries, and various interviews, State Police spokesman Adam Silverman.

VSP worked closely throughout this investigation with Sullivan’s office to develop enough to obtain an arrest warrant from Judge Cortland Corsones.

Investigators thanked the greater Pawlet community on Friday for their continued patience and understanding as the complex case unfolded throughout the week.

Green Mountain Power, which had not responded to multiple press inquiries since the homicide was reported, finally broke its silence on Friday afternoon following the arrest.

Brian Crossman was a linework and Erica was a distribution system designer.

Green Mountain Power’s statement said:

“We are devastated by this unimaginable loss. Erica and Brian were beloved members of our team, and their deaths have left us all in shock and grief. They were more than just colleagues; they were integral parts of GMP, bringing their unique talents, kindness, and positive energy to everything they did,” spokeswoman Kristin Carlson said in an email.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their families, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. We are focused on doing everything we can to support one another, Pawlet and surrounding communities, and the family and loved ones of Erica, Brian, and Colin,” the company said.

Police initially said Crossman was 23, but late Friday reported he is 22 years-old.