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Officials are releasing more details about the incident that led to a retired Army Special Forces veteran allegedly trying to kill his wife, sparking a massive multi-agency manhunt.
Craig Berry allegedly shot his wife during a domestic incident at the couple’s house in Dover, Tennessee early Friday morning before he fled the area. He’s wanted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, domestic assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray told NBC News that Berry’s wife, who isn’t being named by authorities, tried to get away from the area in her car before her husband fired a shot at her.
She drove away, Gray said, and Berry tried to follow her until he crashed the car, leaving it totaled.
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Craig Berry is seen in an undated photo released by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
Berry’s wife was taken to a hospital and has been released, the sheriff said. Gray described her injuries as “life threatening.”
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Investigators have spoken with Berry’s wife several times, according to the report.
The sheriff said there was a possible “financial situation” with the couple, but declined to speculate on “problems” between the couple.
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The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office says Craig Berry was captured by a trail camera wearing camouflage clothing. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
One family member spoke with Berry on the phone just after the incident, according to Gray, who said that they believe the attempted murder suspect destroyed his phone.
Gray said the search for Berry is “urgent,” but doesn’t expect him to harm additional individuals. The sheriff said, however, that residents in the area should “lock all your doors.” He is concerned that Berry would try to steal a car in his attempt to flee. He said the search for Berry will be a “lengthy” process, and didn’t rule out the possibility that the former Special Forces veteran is dead.
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“This is going to be a really detailed, methodical search,” Gray said.
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Craig Berry was last seen near River Trace Road, and authorities are conducting a “very detailed search” of the area from River Trace Road to Highway 79 to parts of Highway 232 this week, the sheriff’s office said Monday. (Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
In a statement to Digital, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said that it is continuing to assist the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service with helicopters and troopers, as needed, in the hunt for Berry.
The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that helps lead to his capture.
Berry has been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s “Most Wanted” list, according to an X post from the agency.
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An Army spokesperson told Digital that Berry was an infantryman and Special Forces Medical Sergeant in the Army from 1992 to 2016, leaving the Army as a sergeant first class. He deployed to Iraq four times between 2003 and 2014, according to the spokesperson.
In the hours after the shooting, troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol as well as deputies and investigators from the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office searched through a densely wooded area for Berry, according to a video released by the state agency.
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In an earlier social media post, the sheriff’s office warned that Berry is considered “armed and dangerous.”
Deputies added that Berry is an “excellent swimmer and diver” and is believed to be in “good physical shape,” stating he has “extensive training” in survival tactics.
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Stewart County Schools said in a statement on Facebook that Berry’s wife is a schoolteacher.
“We are aware of a serious incident involving one of our staff members. We understand this news may be upsetting to students, staff, and families. Please know that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and there is no ongoing threat to our schools,” the school district said. “Our thoughts are with our staff member and her loved ones during this time. We will continue to respect her privacy.”
