The inquiry into the shooting incident involving Craig Berry, a former special forces member, has now reached its fifth day, as reported by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee.
Deputies received a call early Friday, May 1, around 1:30 a.m. about a shooting. However, upon their arrival, the suspect had already fled into the nearby woods.
The call came from Berry’s wife, whose identity isn’t disclosed. She indicated she had been shot during a domestic altercation, according to an arrest affidavit from the sheriff’s office.
A blurry image from a trail camera, apparently the last sighting of Berry, showed a man in camouflage, presumed to be him, running into the woods prior to police reaching the site. Authorities suspect he donned the camouflage to return home for ammunition after an argument with his wife.
By Monday, May 4, the search was concentrated in the woods, but it remained uncertain if the suspect was still lingering in the area.
“He’s an excellent swimmer and diver, in great shape. He was armed with at least one handgun and likely had more ammunition,” the update indicated. “The last sighting was near River Trace Road, and a K-9 unit was pursuing him there. It appears he may not have a phone or any way to communicate,” the report outlined.
The sheriff’s office has collaborated with the U.S. Marshals to cover the area from River Trace Road to Highway 79 and part of Highway 232.
“This will be a meticulous and thorough search,” Sheriff Frankie Gray stated on Monday, noting that around 30 officers were involved in the effort.
Gray emphasized the urgency of the search. He acknowledged the possibility that Berry could either be dead or have fled by vehicle or swimming across a river. Nevertheless, given his special forces training, Berry may manage to remain hidden in the wooded areas for a while.
“Berry served as both an Infantryman and Special Forces Sergeant in the Army from 1992 to 2016,” said Army spokesman Christopher Surridge.
Gray speculated, “He might stick around for some time.”
On Monday, investigators obtained a new warrant charging Berry with attempted second-degree murder.
Berry’s wife survived the shooting and has been released from a medical facility. Gray mentioned her injuries were severe but not fatal.
The sheriff’s office encouraged residents to check their trail cameras, suggesting that Berry could “possibly need outside help.”
“I think he’ll eventually be caught,” Gray remarked, noting that the process might take time and mentioning his belief that Berry would be unlikely to surrender voluntarily.
