Fatal Endings Leave Supporters Wondering
Pubdate: Wed, 05 Sep 2001
Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)
Copyright: 2001 South Bend Tribune
Contact: vop@sbtinfo.com
Website: http://www.southbendtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/621
Authors: Jennifer Mack and Dee-Ann Durbin, Tribune Staff Writer &
Associated Press Writer
Note: Sixth of six related articles in this issue of South Bend Tribune
FATAL ENDINGS LEAVE SUPPORTERS WONDERING
It was a time to wonder and remember Tuesday for many friends and neighbors
of two men killed in a standoff with police.
Grover T. "Tom" Crosslin, 46, owner of Rainbow Farm Campground, known for
its advocacy of marijuana, was fatally shot by an FBI agent Monday night
after a standoff that began Friday. Rolland Rohm, 28, who lived with
Crosslin, was shot by police Tuesday morning on the Rainbow Farm Campground
property.
Police said both were shot after pointing weapons at law enforcement officers.
One man, who identified himself only as Travis, yelled at police late
Monday night on Black Street, about two miles from Rainbow Farms, the
34-acre farm on nearby Pemberton Road that Crosslin owned. He and others
were upset at the news that Crosslin had died, a response that returned
Tuesday morning with the news that Rohm had met a similar fate.
Not getting too close to police blocking the road, Travis yelled through a
bullhorn, calling the police officers murderers.
Other Crosslin supporters cried and huddled together at the corner of Black
Street and White Temple Road, where a vigil was set up with tents, a
bonfire and a small black-and-white television on which they watched news
reports about the standoff unfolding.
Together, they remembered their friends.
Kathy Williams, who lives with Crosslin's brother, Larry Crosslin, in
Elkhart, described Tom as an "awesome man."
Last Christmas, Crosslin organized a gift-giving campaign for the children
of Vandalia. She said some of the money for the gifts came from Tom's own
pocket.
"All he asked for was his farm and to have that kid back," Williams said.
The Michigan Family Independence Agency removed a 13-year-old boy that
Crosslin helped raise from his home in May. The boy was the biological son
of Rohm.
Geary Albright, of Elkhart, who has been dating Crosslin's sister Shirley
DeWeese, said that Tom Crosslin was a generous man, moving to the Vandalia
farm to find peace and quiet.
Albright stayed out of work Tuesday to be as close to Crosslin as he could get.
Crosslin "was like a brother to me."
That brotherly embrace was shared at the encampment.
Buzz Daily, a 44-year-old Cass County farmer, said Tuesday, "I am
heartbroken. I don't think they went into this trying to hurt anyone."
Daily and others said they weren't sure what would happen to Rainbow Farm.
But he urged those who support marijuana legalization to come to the
funerals for Crosslin and Rohm. Funeral arrangements were pending Tuesday.
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