A New York man was arrested and charged with murder after allegedly shooting his 3-month-old daughter with a crossbow early Monday morning, according to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a Colesville home around 5:14 a.m. after reports that an infant and a woman had been shot with a crossbow.
According to a preliminary investigation, Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, allegedly got into a fight with his wife and shot her with a bolt while she was holding their 3-month-old daughter, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The broadhead bolt struck the baby in the upper torso and exited near the armpit before striking its mother in the chest.
“Proefriedt allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to prevent the woman from calling 911, then fled the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup before responding officers arrived,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement .
Officers and paramedics tried to save the child, identified by law enforcement as Eleanor M. Carey, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother was taken to a local hospital for treatment. There was no update on his condition Tuesday.
“This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,” said Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar. “Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old baby girl, Eleanor Carey.”
Proefriedt was found in the woods less than a mile from the home, authorities said. His car had become stuck in the mud.
He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree criminal contempt for violating an order of protection, according to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.
“Proefriedt had a history of domestic incidents with the victim and an active protective order to stay away,” the sheriff’s office said.
It was not immediately clear Tuesday whether Proefriedt has an attorney.
