Circus daredevil Ana Daza Tavera accidentally shot her husband Edwin Cuervo Rangel in the neck with a crossbow during a live performance at the Orange County Fair in New York on July 24, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. at 239 Wisner Avenue in the town of Wallkill.
Details of the Accident
Ana Daza Tavera, 42, and Edwin Cuervo Rangel, 38, were performing their signature crossbow sharpshooting act. Cuervo Rangel was holding a foam target when Tavera missed, striking him in the neck with the arrow. Benjamin Jackson, the ringmaster at Circus Murcia, stated that the arrow hit a spot on the side of the neck with mostly soft tissue and no major blood vessels. 'No blood leaking out. There was a little around the hole where the arrow went in, kind of like getting your ear pierced,' he told reporters.
Medical Response and Recovery
Cuervo Rangel was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center in stable condition. The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from Middletown responded to the scene. According to a police statement, 'The preliminary investigation revealed that circus personnel identified as Ana B. Daza Tavera, age 42, of Waukesha, WI, and Edwin A. Cuervo Rangel, age 38, of Waukesha, WI, were performing a show for spectators during which Daza Tavera shot an arrow at a foam target that Cuervo Rangel was holding. The arrow struck Cuervo Rangel, injuring him.' The arrow was safely removed the next day, and Cuervo Rangel received stitches before being released. Jackson said his boss was 'walking around, talking, eating, enjoying life' but will need time before returning to the circus.
Aftermath and Circus Response
The circus was cancelled for the night following the incident but has since reopened, minus the crossbow performance. The investigation is ongoing.
