In the late hours of a spring night in Essex, Vermont, the life of Kryn Miner, a 44-year-old Caucasian male, came to a tragic end. On April 26, 2014, police responded to a call at his home to find him in critical condition from what was later determined to be multiple gunshot wounds. Efforts to save his life were unsuccessful. Miner, a decorated Army veteran with a long and distinguished military career, including service in the 82nd Airborne Division and numerous deployments, was remembered by
friends and family for his charismatic personality and his ability to instantly connect with people.
The events that led to the fatal shooting began after Miner and his wife, Amy, returned from a wedding. The evening took a dark turn when the troubled veteran, who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and a traumatic brain injury stemming from his extensive military service, became verbally abusive and started hitting himself. The situation escalated inside their home, where he threatened his family with a firearm. According to his wife, after assaulting her, he threw a loaded handgun towards their teenage child who had come to her defense, asking, "Do you want to play the gun game?". When Miner reached for another weapon, the teenager fired multiple shots.
In the wake of the shooting, the Essex Police Department launched an investigation with the assistance of the Vermont State Police Crime Lab. The family was described as being extremely cooperative with law enforcement. After a review of the circumstances, the Chittenden County State's Attorney's Office determined that the shooting was justified. Consequently, no charges were filed against the teen who shot Kryn Miner. His wife later spoke out about the immense struggle her husband faced with the invisible wounds of war, hoping to bring awareness to the need for better mental health support for veterans. The family described themselves as victims of an unimaginable set of circumstances, and his death was ruled a homicide, yet no suspect was ever arrested or charged in connection to the incident.
