A New York man has been arrested and charged with murder after fatally shooting his 3-week-old infant daughter and injuring his wife with a crossbow. Patrick D. Proefriedt, age 26, is being held without bail at the Broome County Jail.
On Monday at around 5 a.m., Broome County Sheriff’s deputies and Emergencies Medical Services responded to a report that a 31-year-old woman had been shot with a crossbow at a home in Collesville. Investigators arrived on the scene and discovered that Proefriedt had gotten into an argument with his wife that turned into a violent episode.
During the argument, he fired a crossbow at his wife while she was holding their 3-week-old daughter. The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before striking the woman in the chest.
Proefriedt then allegedly removed the bolt and tried to prevent his wife from calling 911 before fleeing the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck. Police located the crossbow at the home and attempted lifesaving measures on the infant, later identified as Eleanor M. Carey. She was pronounced dead on the scene. The wife, Megan, was transported to Wilson Hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Authorities launched a massive search for Proefriedt, with deputies forming a perimeter around the area with multiple patrol units and an aerial drone. Proefriedt was found hiding in the woods less than a mile from the home after his vehicle became stuck in the mud and was taken into custody.
Proefriedt is facing charges including murder, attempted murder, and criminal contempt after he violated an order of protection. He will remain in custody with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office until his arraignment.
Police have shared that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.