FBI SHOOTS, KILLS CAMPGROUND OWNER

VANDALIA - Grover Thomas Crosslin's four-day showdown with law enforcement
ended in his death on Labor Day.

Crosslin, 46, who owned Rainbow Farm campground in Newberg Township, was
shot and killed by an FBI agent Monday.

In a joint statement issued late Sept. 3, FBI Special Agent in Charge John
E. Bell Jr., Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. and Michigan State
Police Capt. Richard Dragomer said efforts to negotiate with Crosslin began
at 4:53 p.m. "with the introduction of a phone to him."

Crosslin initially asked to speak with a third party at the outset of the
negotiation. When law enforcement authorities denied this request, they
said "Crosslin immediately became enraged and made threatening remarks and
gestures concerning law enforcement."

Crosslin then terminated all efforts for negotiations and left the
residence with a Mini 14 rifle accompanied by a Brandon James Peoples.

Upon leaving the residence, Crosslin and Peoples were observed walking the
perimeter of the residence with this weapon.

They approached an area where an FBI observer had been stationed.

Upon seeing the FBI observer, authorities said, Crosslin "immediately
raised the weapon to shoulder height and pointed it directly at the agent.
At that moment the FBI observer fired one round and fatally wounded Crosslin."

The statement said Peoples received minor injuries. A third individual,
Rolland Eugene Rohm, remained inside Crosslin's residence.

Agents were negotiating for his surrender. It was the removal of Rohm's
13-year-old son by the Family Independence Agency after their drug arrests
in May which was thought to have further agitated Crosslin.

A convoy of eight state police vehicles barreled down M-60 from Cassopolis
to Vandalia with lights flashing shortly after 6 p.m.

Fires at the 34-acre Newberg Township campground on Pemberton Road set
Friday, Aug. 31, "were set by Crosslin - not law enforcement," a statement
earlier Monday expressing hope for a peaceful resolution said. "It should
be noted forfeiture proceedings for this property had previously been
initiated in May 2001 and Crosslin was aware of the fact he was in the
process of losing Rainbow Farm," the statement said.

On June 29, Cass County Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge issued an order
prohibiting Crosslin from holding festival gatherings where drugs were
previously distributed and consumed until his trial, scheduled Feb. 26, 2002.

On Aug. 17-18, "Crosslin directly violated this order and held a festival
at Rainbow Farm," the press release said.

In his first official comment on the standoff which lasted throughout the
Labor Day weekend, Sheriff Underwood on Sunday, Sept. 2, reported receiving
a call of a fire in the Pemberton Road area appearing to come from the
Rainbow Farm campground at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31.

A second call was received from an anonymous party shortly thereafter
indicating that the fire was an ambush.

The caller stated that Crosslin was waiting to ambush law enforcement
officers as they arrived in response to the fire.

Law enforcement officers responded to the area and noted that the initial
fire was contained to the Rainbow Fire campground.

A number of structure fires were noted after the initial fire was out on
the campground, the sheriff said.

Underwood said the Sheriff's Office received information from neighbors
that Crosslin contacted them and told them to leave the area because "all
hell was going to break loose."

Campground neighbors were contacted by law enforcement and cautioned of the
danger of the situation. A perimeter was set by law enforcement in an
attempt to insure public safety.

Shortly thereafter, a WNDU-TV Channel 16 news helicopter out of South Bend,
Ind., responded to the area to cover the fire.

The chopper was spotted by officer in the area and gunshots were heard
coming from the campground. WNDU was immediately notified by law
enforcement. The helicopter vacated the area. Upon its return to South
Bend, it was subsequently verified it had been damaged. Local airports were
notified to keep aircraft out of the area.

Underwood said Crosslin and Rohm were scheduled to appear in 43rd Circuit
Court in Cassopolis to respond to a Petition to Show Cause and a Motion to
Revoke Bond at 1:30 p.m.

The attorney representing both individuals appeared in court, but neither
of the defendants appeared.

Judge Dodge entered an Order to Revoke Bond for Crosslin and Rohm and
issued arrest warrants for both men.

Underwood said officers near the scene of the fire were contacted by a
passerby familiar with Crosslin. That individual said Crosslin was seen
walking down the street in camouflage clothing and carrying what appeared
to be an assault-type weapon.

A report was filed and a felony warrant obtained for Crosslin for
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon - a five-year felony.

Restriction of the flow of people and personnel to the area was established
in an attempt to insure public safety.

Crosslin was contacted by friends and family members seeking his peaceful
surrender to law enforcement.

A number of gunshots from both small- and large-caliber weapons and several
explosions had been heard coming from the campground by law enforcement
officers.

Law enforcement efforts focused on containing subjects to the campground.

At approximately 1:15 p.m. Sunday, several gunshots were fired at an
unmarked Michigan State Police fixed-wing aircraft from within the campground.

Several hours later, the sheriff reported, a civilian fixed-wing aircraft
was spotted flying over the campground. Again, shots were heard.

Airports were again notified to keep aircraft from the area.

Underwood said Crosslin received written and telephone messages from hs
attorney, Dori K. Leo, requesting a peaceful resolution.

"Efforts are continuing by law enforcement authorities in an attempt to
reach a resolution without any further violence," Sunday's statement said.
"Michigan State Police and the FBI are providing assistance to the Cass
County Sheriff's Office. Public access to the area surrounding Rainbow Farm
campground has been restricted by the Cass County Sheriff's Office and
Michigan State Police."

Crosslin, owner of Rainbow Farm since 1993, had been charged in May with
manufacturing marijuana, more than 200 plants, a 15-year felony;
maintaining a drug house, a two-year misdemeanor; and felony firearm, a
five-year felony. Rohm was charged with manufacturing marijuana,
maintaining a drug house and felony firearm.

Crosslin's relatives - including his parents, sister and brother, friends
and supporters gathered under a canopy to watch the 6 o'clock news on a
portable television. A steady stream of vehicles went by honking in support.

Outside the historic Bonine home at M-60 and Calvin Center Street which
figured in the Underground Railroad flight of runaway slaves, which
Crosslin had been restoring as a bed and breakfast, a sign warned, "Those
who deny a peaceful revolution demand a violent one."