Full Breakdown
Manhunt for Retired Special Forces Veteran Craig Berry After Alleged Attempted Murder in Stewart County, Tennessee
5/7/2026, 12:41:10 AM
Incident Overview
On the early morning of May 1, 2026, deputies in Stewart County, Tennessee, responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence near 133 Old Paris Highway in Dover. According to the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, Craig Berry, a retired Special Forces soldier, allegedly shot his wife, who was taken to a medical facility; her condition was not disclosed. Berry fled into the surrounding woods before law-enforcement arrived, wearing camouflage clothing and carrying at least one handgun and additional ammunition. He is described as “armed and dangerous” and familiar with the terrain.
Background: Military Service and Survival Skills
Berry served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2016, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. He held positions as an Infantryman (11B) and Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D) and was deployed to Iraq four times. The sheriff’s office emphasizes his “extensive training in survival tactics,” noting he is “an excellent swimmer and diver” and in “good physical shape.” Such training is cited as a factor complicating the search.
Key Figures and Agencies
- Craig Berry – suspect, retired Special Forces veteran.
- Berry’s wife – victim, identified as a schoolteacher; condition undisclosed.
- Sheriff Frankie Gray – Stewart County Sheriff, leading the local response.
- Law-enforcement partners – U.S. Marshals Service, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, Tennessee Highway Patrol, local deputies, K-9 units.
- Community voice – John Bidwell, manager of The Dip Dairy Freeze diner, commenting on local sentiment.
Timeline of Key Events
- May 1, 2026 (?1:30 a.m.) – Shooting reported; Berry flees.
- May 1 – Trail camera captures a blurry image of a camouflaged figure believed to be Berry.
- May 2 – Sheriff’s office posts update: “no idea if he is still in the area.”
- May 3 – Search scaled back due to weather; focus remains on same area.
- May 4 – Additional warrant for second-degree attempted murder issued.
- May 5–6 – Detailed search planned from River Trace Road to Hwy 79 and parts of Hwy 232; rewards announced.
Data and Statistics
- Physical description: 5 ft 11 in, 185 lb, brown hair, blue eyes.
- Location: River Trace Road, near Old Paris Highway; area includes the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
- Rewards: $2,500 from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; up to $5,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.
- Agencies involved: at least six federal, state, and local entities.
- Search area: extensive forested terrain spanning multiple highways.
Community Reaction and Criticism
Local residents expressed a relaxed attitude toward the hunt. John Bidwell said, “I would say (the mood) is pretty casual… I think most people are armed.” Sheriff Gray echoed the sentiment, noting that “it’s not (that) everybody’s got a weapon. Usually, everybody’s got several.” These comments suggest a perception that personal firearms may mitigate the threat.
Official Statements and Responses
Sheriff Gray repeatedly emphasized Berry’s survival expertise and the possibility of outside assistance, stating that the search would be “very detailed” and “slow and methodical.” Law-enforcement agencies have coordinated aerial and ground resources, deployed K-9 units, and urged residents to lock doors, report sightings, and avoid direct contact. Stewart County Schools issued a statement confirming the victim’s employment as a teacher and assuring that no school-related threat exists.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
- Age: Sheriff’s office lists Berry as 53 years old; Fox News reports him as 44.
- Status: A 6ABC article claims the U.S. Marshals Service announced Berry is dead, while all other sources maintain he remains at large.
- Wife’s condition: Some reports describe her condition as “unclear,” others as “not disclosed.”
- Location: Authorities have no confirmed sighting beyond the initial trail-camera image.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He is an excellent swimmer and diver, and is in good physical shape.” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
- “He is armed with at least one handgun and is believed to have taken extra ammunition.” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
- “We are not ruling out the possibility that he has received some outside assistance after the incident. We have no information that he is no longer in the area,” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
- “It's not (that) everybody's got a weapon. Usually, everybody's got several,” — Sheriff Frankie Gray
- “I would say (the mood) is pretty casual,” — John Bidwell, manager, The Dip Dairy Freeze diner
What’s Next
The multi-agency task force will continue the detailed sweep of the River Trace Road corridor and adjacent highways, employing helicopters and additional K-9 teams. The reward offers remain active, and officials will maintain public alerts, urging residents to report any evidence captured by personal trail cameras. The investigation will also assess the possibility of external assistance as the search progresses.
