A small town in Vermont known for its quasi-military-style shooting range has become the center of the scene after a shooting

After all the noise and bad vibes, the wedding celebration of two beloved people seemed like a reminder of the virtues of their tight-knit community, framed by the picturesque Taconic Mountains in southwestern Vermont.

Erica, 41, grew up in Ira, a similar farming community just 20 miles to the north. She was cheerful and kind. Brian, 46, was tall and outgoing and an avid fisherman, hunter and all-around outdoorsman. He was elected to the local selectboard this year.

Both had children from previous relationships, and Brian had recently taken over the family farm. Both Brian and Erica worked for the local utility company, Green Mountain Power, but they would also manage the farm and continue a tradition that was a big part of the local economy and culture.

As for Pawlet, Brian and Erica were all in.

But their plans According to police, in the early morning hours of September 15, Brian’s 22-year-old son and father-in-law, Brian Crossman Jr., shot and killed Crossman Sr., Erica and Erica’s 13-year-old son, Colin Taft, at their farmhouse, where Colin Taft was spending the weekend.

Relatives told police that Brian Jr…. had a history of mental illnessand that his instability led to a growing rift between father and son. When Brian Jr. was younger, his father regularly took him fishing and hunting and knew how to use a gun. Police say he killed his father, stepmother and stepbrother using at least two shotguns from his father’s hunting rifle collection.

Over the years, crime has become even more devastating to the community, with some Pawlet residents’ biggest concern being attacked online or shot by strangers connected to the shooting range.

It started about 10 years ago, when Daniel Banyai moved from New York, bought 30 acres in West Pawlet and opened Slate Ridge. When the town decided to close it, saying they didn’t have a permit, he resisted, arguing that the town had no power over him because it didn’t charge gun enthusiasts and militia members to use the camp.

Banyai accused town officials of corruption and KKK membership at a public hearing. He found allies in gun rights advocates and extremists, who were drawn to his cause like moths to the light, posting conspiracy theories and threats online.

In a deliberate nod to the town, Banyai ran in 2021 for two seats on the elected board he openly loathes and regularly despises, vowing to “Make Pawlet Great Again.” He came last He received 18 votes for one of the seats he was a candidate for and 4 votes for the other.

The courts ruled against Banyai, but he did not back down.

After local news outlet VTDigger reported on the Pawlet shooting, the incident gained national attention, including: New York Times And New Yorker offers long narratives that recount the debate as a struggle for the town’s identity.

Neighborhood resident Mandy Hulett filed a restraining order against Banyai.

Standing outside his farmhouse on Deer Flats Ranch on Friday, Hulett recalled a difficult few years for his family and many in town, years of anxiety and uncertainty in Slate Ridge that were crowned by the shocking and disturbing murders of three well-known and loved people here.

“This town,” he said, “has been through a lot. A lot of trauma.”

He said the killings and the anger displayed by Slate Ridge’s most extreme supporters highlight a challenge that every community in Vermont, every community in the country, struggles with: mental health.

“We need to do more” to make access to mental health care easier and more comprehensive, Hulett said. “Not enough is being done to address this.”

One of the Pawlet police officers, Tom Covino, became a local legend when video of him emerged Banyai was arrested last March on an outstanding warrant For refusing to comply with orders to dismantle unauthorized structures at the now-closed shooting range. Video The men were seen fighting when Covino arrested him, and Banyai was charged with aggravated assault.

Earlier this month, Covino arrested Banyai again for allegedly violating the conditions of his release in a previous arrest. Banyai remains unrepentant, vowing to defeat the charges while continuing to accuse the town and its officials of corruption.

The last few years have been particularly difficult for the Hulett family, who have faced threats and harassment for speaking out against Slate Ridge and are now reeling from the murder of their friend.

Mandy’s husband, Rich Hulett, grew up with Crossman Sr. and was one of his closest friends. He also serves on the select board with him. The Huletts run a dairy farm and a trucking business.

Mandy Hulett said her heart broke for the Crossman family and the wider community.

“Pawlet is a great town and we’ve been in the news for years, but not for the things that make it great; it’s the cuteness, the friendly, kind people,” he said.

In the days between the murders and the arrest of Brian Crossman Jr., Banyai and his supporters speculated online that the killings were somehow motivated by corruption in the town. An ally of Banyai, who lives just south of Pawlet, posted a Facebook video suggesting drug dealers might be involved.

Jessica Van Oort, who served on the elected board with Crossman and sat somberly next to her empty chair at the first board meeting since the murders, took to Facebook to rebuke online speculators, asking, “Why are you politicizing this tragedy?”

Banyai responded by writing, “The truth hurts.”

In the center of town are a library, the town hall, Judy Lake’s quirky lampshade shop, a potter’s studio, an art gallery, and Mach’s Market, a meeting place.

Standing outside his market, Gib Mach didn’t want to talk about the murders, Slate Ridge or anything like that. But he said: “There are good people here. Really good people.”

A memorial service for the family who were killed will be held this weekend. Like many here, Mandy Hulett is trying to look beyond her grief. On Friday, she and her daughter were busy cutting flowers at her family’s farm. They were preparing to host a wedding the next day.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Hulett said. “Something that brings a little joy. Everybody needs a little joy in their life.”

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Kevin Cullen is a Globe reporter and columnist based in New England. He can be reached at [email protected].