A New York father has been charged with murder after allegedly firing a crossbow at his wife while she was holding their 3-week-old daughter, injuring the mother and killing the baby.
Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, – who had a history of domestic abuse incidents including a Stay Away order in place – fired the weapon at his wife, Megan Carey, on Monday at their home in Colesville.
The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child, Eleanor M. Carey, in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before striking her mother in the chest, Broome County police revealed in a statement.
Proefriedt, described by police as ‘a repugnant human being’, allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911.
Just a week before the tragedy, the suspect wrote on Facebook that his ‘style’ was to ‘protect his family and friends at all costs.’
Emergency responders, arriving at the house on State Route 41 near Cass Road around 5:15 am on Monday, attempted lifesaving measures on the baby but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Carey, reportedly aged 31, was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Proefriedt allegedly fled the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck.
He was quickly found by multiple patrol units using aerial drones in the woods less than a mile from the residence after his vehicle had become stuck in the mud.
He has been taken into custody and charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree.
The criminal contempt charge relates to the violation of an order of protection.
The incident occurred less than three weeks after Proefriedt posted a picture of himself and baby Eleanor on Facebook, who he described as ‘my little baby girl’.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is currently ongoing and that Proefriedt remains in custody without bail while he awaits arraignment.
