Vermont town official, his wife and her son found shot to death in their home

PAWLET, Vermont — A Vermont city clerk, his wife and her son were found shot to death in their home over the weekend, state police said.

Police identified them Tuesday as Brian Crossman, 46, a selectboard member in Pawlet; Erica Crossman, 41; and Colin Taft, 13. The town of about 1,400 people is near the New York state border.

They were found dead Sunday, Vermont State Police said in a news release Tuesday. All three deaths were ruled homicides.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and no one has been arrested yet.

Members of the Pawlet Selectboard, which is elected by residents to oversee city spending and pass ordinances, held their regular meeting Tuesday night. Crossman’s seat was vacant, and flowers were placed in his place at the table.

Mike Beecher, chairman of the five-member board, read a statement: “Brian Crossman was a friend and neighbor, a hardworking community member who just joined the Pawlet Selectboard this year.

“This tragedy that befell him and his family has also hit our community hard, and we are shocked and grieving. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this devastating loss.”