TROY, NY (WTEN) — The man accused of killing three family members at a home in Grafton was arraigned in Rensselaer County Court on Friday. The Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office said Joshua Fowler, 26, of Cropseyville, pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment.
Charges
- One count of first-degree murder
- Three counts of second-degree murder
On June 18, law enforcement responded to a home on South Road in Grafton around 6:40 p.m. for a reported shooting. Once on the scene, New York State Police troopers said they found the caller, Whitney Fowler, 27, who was later identified as Fowler’s wife, outside suffering from a gunshot wound.
Inside, and pronounced dead on the scene, were Fowler’s father, Wilson Fowler, 55, and the suspect’s grandmother, Anita Crandall, 69. Police said they had a short standoff with Fowler, who was holding a shotgun, adding that they believed he was attempting suicide by cop.
“After failing to follow multiple orders by law-enforcement to put the firearm down and after a brief standoff, troopers utilized tasers, and Mr. Fowler was taken into custody and unharmed,” said New York State Police Major Christopher Gilroy, Troop G commander.
