Patrick Proefriedt Upstate NY dad shoots 3 weeks old baby daughter with crossbow while arguing with mother, injuring Megan Carey. History of domestic abuse.
An Upstate 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 Daniel 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, during the early morning hours of Monday at their home in Colesville. At the time of the incident, the couple were engaged in an argument.
The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child, Eleanor M. Carey, in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before then striking her mother in the chest. At the time of the incident, the couple were arguing, Broome County police stated in a release.
‘Style to protect family and friends at all costs’
Patrick D. Proefriedt, described by police as ‘a repugnant human being’, allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911, before eventually fleeing the home.
The incident comes a week after the husband and father taking to Facebook where he posted 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 who had fled the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck was quickly picked up less than a mile from the residence after his vehicle had become stuck in the mud.
‘Domestic violence is incredibly real’
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’.
‘This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,’ said Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar in a statement.
‘Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey. I commend the quick and decisive action of our Law Enforcement division in responding to this tragedy and ensuring Mr. Proefriedt did not escape justice.
‘It’s just a tragic case. It’s a senseless case. Reminder to all of us standing here today that domestic violence is incredibly real,’ Akshar told reporters at a press conference.
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.
