Officials in Dover, Tennessee, and Stewart County law enforcement are sharing new details after retired Army Special Forces veteran Craig Berry allegedly shot his wife at the couple’s home, then vanished into nearby woods. Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshals are involved in a multi-agency manhunt that has stretched into a lengthy, methodical search.
The incident reportedly unfolded early Friday morning when Berry allegedly opened fire on his wife inside their house and then chased her as she tried to escape. Sheriff Frankie Gray said the woman managed to drive away but was shot at again before Berry crashed his own vehicle, leaving it totaled at the scene.
Berry is wanted on multiple charges including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, domestic assault and leaving the scene of an accident. Investigators have interviewed the woman several times and say she was treated at a hospital and has since been released, though her injuries were described as “life threatening.”
A family member spoke to Berry on the phone shortly after the shooting, and deputies believe the suspect destroyed his phone in the aftermath. Gray stressed the search is “urgent” but added that authorities do not expect him to harm additional people; still, he told locals to “lock all your doors.” The sheriff warned Berry might try to steal a vehicle to flee and said the effort to locate him could be “lengthy” and that they have not ruled out the possibility that Berry is dead.
Law enforcement pursued leads through densely wooded terrain near Dover, deploying troopers, helicopters and ground teams as part of the pursuit. The Tennessee Highway Patrol confirmed it is assisting the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service with aviation and trooper support as needed. The U.S. Marshals have offered a reward of up to $5,000 for tips that help lead to his capture, and the suspect was added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list, according to an X post from the agency.
Authorities released video showing search teams moving through thick woods, and bloodhound tracking footage was among the material circulated by the sheriff’s office. Deputies have publicly labeled Berry “armed and dangerous” in social posts and cautioned that he has survival skills that make locating him more difficult. He is described as an “excellent swimmer and diver” and believed to be in “good physical shape,” with “extensive training” in survival tactics.
Berry served in the U.S. Army from 1992 until 2016, leaving as a sergeant first class after time as an infantryman and a Special Forces Medical Sergeant. An Army spokesperson said he deployed to Iraq four times between 2003 and 2014, details that officials say inform some of the concerns about his training and capabilities while evading capture.
Stewart County Schools confirmed that the woman involved is one of their teachers and issued a statement to the community. “We are aware of a serious incident involving one of our staff members. We understand this news may be upsetting to students, staff, and families. Please know that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and there is no ongoing threat to our schools,” the district said. “Our thoughts are with our staff member and her loved ones during this time. We will continue to respect her privacy.”
Investigators are continuing to follow tips, run down sightings and coordinate a methodical sweep of areas where Berry might be hiding. Deputies have not ruled out additional resources or longer-term tracking in the event the search continues for days or weeks, and local residents remain urged to secure their homes and report anything unusual to law enforcement immediately. FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
