Tennessee law enforcement agencies are in their fourth day of an intensive manhunt for Craig Berry, a military special forces veteran described as 'armed and dangerous,' who allegedly shot his wife on Friday and escaped into a heavily wooded area.
Details of the Incident
The Stewart County Sheriff's Office reported that Berry is accused of shooting his wife during an early morning argument before fleeing into the forest. The victim, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was transported to a medical facility, and her current condition remains unknown. Authorities have issued a warrant for second-degree attempted murder against Berry.
According to a Facebook post from the sheriff's office on Monday, 'He is an excellent swimmer and diver, and is in good physical shape. He is armed with at least one handgun and is believed to have taken extra ammunition.' Officials believe Berry does not have a phone or any other means of communication, and they have not ruled out the possibility that he received outside assistance after the shooting. However, there is no evidence suggesting he has left the immediate area.
Search Operations
Berry was last seen near River Trace Road in Dover, close to the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. A police K-9 unit confirmed that he passed through the area. A blurry trail camera photograph from Friday morning captured Berry wearing what appears to be camouflage clothing. The search area is concentrated between River Trace Road, Highway 79, and Highway 232.
Multiple agencies are involved in the manhunt, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Independent has reached out to these agencies for comment.
Background of the Suspect
Local officials have confirmed that Berry's wife is a school teacher but have withheld further details to protect her privacy. The Independent has contacted Stewart County Schools for comment. A Facebook page believed to belong to Berry indicates a lengthy military career. The page's owner mentioned retiring in 2016 in response to a comment from a military comrade, who posted an image from 1992 showing Berry in uniform in front of a military memorial. The Independent has contacted U.S. Special Operations Command for comment.
Similar Case
This manhunt echoes a similar case last year when authorities spent nearly four months searching for Travis Decker, a U.S. Army veteran with comparable wilderness training. Decker allegedly murdered his three young daughters at a campsite and fled into the Washington state mountains. In September, his remains were discovered on Grindstone Mountain, scattered and incomplete, making it impossible to determine his exact cause of death. According to a former squad mate, Decker had attempted to join the Army's elite Ranger special forces regiment but did not succeed.
Anyone who sees Craig Berry is urged to contact 911 immediately.
