A massive manhunt is underway in Tennessee for a US special forces veteran who allegedly shot his wife and fled into the woods. Craig Berry, a former Army sergeant with four deployments to Iraq, has been missing since Friday, May 2, 2026, after a violent incident in the town of Dover.
Attack and Escape
According to Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray, Berry’s wife called 911 on Friday, reporting that her husband shot her in the neck and tried to strangle her during an argument. She told police that Berry attempted to hit her and strangle her, and when she ran to her car, he shot her before chasing her down the road. Berry then crashed his vehicle and fled on foot into the surrounding woods. His wife was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Survivalist Training
Berry is described as a survivalist with extensive training in living off-grid. After the attack, he reportedly returned home to retrieve camouflage clothing and ammunition for his gun. Sheriff Gray expressed concerns that Berry’s military background could help him evade law enforcement. “His training taught him to get as far away as he can from populated areas. He may be trying to get out of the area,” Gray said. “He is really trained to survive in the outdoors. It’s just different … This guy’s just not going to pop out on the side of the road. He’s probably in it for the long haul.”
Phone records indicate that Berry called his parents after the incident, but authorities say they are cooperating with the investigation. Officers fear Berry may have received additional assistance to avoid capture.
Search Efforts
Multiple agencies are involved in the search, including the US Marshals, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The only confirmed sighting of Berry since the attack came from a blurry trail camera a few days ago. Authorities believe he may be attempting to go completely off-grid to evade capture.
Similar Cases
The case echoes a situation in New Zealand, where survivalist father Tom Phillips has been on the run with his three children since December 2021. Phillips took his daughters Jayda (now 11) and Ember (8), and son Maverick (9) from the town of Marokpa after losing a custody battle. The family has been spotted wearing camouflage gear, with a sighting reported on State Highway 4 in February 2025. Police believe Phillips has built a hut or “nest” in the bush in the North Island’s western Waikato region.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information on Berry’s whereabouts to come forward as the search intensifies.
