Tennessee Manhunt Enters Fifth Day For Ex-Special Forces Suspect
A multi-agency manhunt entered its fifth day Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Stewart County, Tennessee for retired Special Forces soldier Craig Berry, wanted after an alleged May 1 shooting of his wife. (cbsnews.com)
Video released by state troopers shows a bloodhound leading officers through dense woods as they tracked the suspect in the hours after the shooting. The search intensified after investigators obtained a second-degree attempted murder warrant on Monday, May 4. A trail-camera image released by the sheriff's office shows a person believed to be Berry wearing camouflage.
The episode traces back to the May 1 domestic shooting, after which Berry's wife survived and was taken to a hospital. Stewart County Schools later identified her as a district staff member and said the incident did not occur on school grounds. National coverage on Tuesday highlighted Berry's military training and survival skills as central to why he has so far evaded capture; a CBS segment emphasized that framing.
Officials have warned Berry is armed with at least one handgun, may have extra ammunition, and is very familiar with the rugged Tennessee-Kentucky border area. The Stewart County Sheriff's Office urged residents to check trail cameras, lock doors and call 911 with any sightings as the search continues.
The ongoing manhunt for Craig Berry highlights troubling dynamics surrounding intimate partner violence, particularly among military veterans. Research from the VA Evidence Synthesis Program indicates that around 30% of active duty service members experience physical intimate partner violence, a statistic that underscores the potential for such incidents within the veteran community. Furthermore, access to firearms significantly raises the risk of intimate partner homicide by five times, raising alarms as Berry remains armed and at large in a rugged area where he has a distinct advantage due to his military training and local familiarity.
Social media commentary reflects a mix of concern and condemnation. Users like @FineAndRich label Berry a coward for allegedly misusing his Special Forces skills to evade capture, while @mikerreports emphasizes the danger he poses to the public. Observations from @Prof_Orbit and @joveg8 underscore the complexities of the search, noting Berry's adeptness at survival and evasion, which complicates efforts by law enforcement agencies already strained by rural resource challenges, as highlighted in a 2022 DOJ report. The convergence of these factors paints a grim picture of the situation, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the manhunt and the societal issues it brings to light.
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
The pooled prevalence of 12-month physical intimate partner violence victimization among active duty U.S. service members is 30%. ([VA Evidence Synthesis Program](https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/partner_violence-REPORT.pdf)) ([VA Evidence Synthesis Program](https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/partner_violence-REPORT.pdf)) ([VA Evidence Synthesis Program](https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/partner_violence-REPORT.pdf)) ([VA Evidence Synthesis Program](https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/partner_violence-REPORT.pdf))
Intimate Partner Violence: Prevalence Among U.S. Military Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers and a Review of Intervention Approaches — VA Evidence Synthesis Program
Access to a firearm by an abuser increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by five times. ([Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment](https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank/injury-and-death-involving-firearms/intimate-partner)) ([Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment](https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank/injury-and-death-involving-firearms/intimate-partner)) ([Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment](https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank/injury-and-death-involving-firearms/intimate-partner)) ([Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment](https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-gun-violence-prevention-resource-bank/injury-and-death-involving-firearms/intimate-partner))
Intimate partner violence — Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
📌 Key Facts
- The Tennessee Highway Patrol released video showing a bloodhound leading troopers, deputies and investigators through dense Stewart County woods as they tracked Craig Berry in the hours after the May 1, 2026 shooting (Tennessee Highway Patrol).
- Investigators obtained a second-degree attempted murder warrant for Craig Berry on Monday, May 4, 2026 (second-degree attempted murder warrant).
- Berry's wife survived the May 1 domestic shooting and was transported to a hospital; Stewart County Schools later identified her as a district staff member and schoolteacher and said the incident did not occur on school grounds (Stewart County Schools).
- Officials described Craig Berry as a retired Special Forces veteran who is armed with at least one handgun, may have additional ammunition, is very familiar with the area and has extensive survival training — including being an excellent swimmer and diver — and is in good physical condition (retired Special Forces veteran).
- The Stewart County Sheriff's Office asked residents to check their trail cameras, warned people to lock doors and call 911 to report sightings, and released a trail-camera image showing a person believed to be Berry wearing camouflage in the search area (Stewart County Sheriff's Office).
- A CBS segment on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 reiterated that the suspect is a retired Special Forces soldier and framed his military background and survival skills as central to why he has evaded capture, underscoring the case's national-TV prominence on the fifth day of the search (CBS segment).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS segment on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, reiterates that the suspect is a retired Special Forces soldier accused of shooting his wife and using his training to hide in the woods in northern Tennessee.
- The piece frames the suspect's military background and survival skills as central to why he has been able to evade capture so far.
- Article timestamp confirms national-TV prominence of the case on the evening of May 5, 2026, during the ongoing fifth day of the search.
- Tennessee Highway Patrol released or provided newly obtained video showing a bloodhound leading troopers, deputies and investigators through dense Stewart County woods as they tracked Craig Berry in the hours after the May 1, 2026 shooting.
- Authorities say Berry's wife survived the May 1 domestic shooting and was transported to a hospital for treatment; Stewart County Schools later identified her publicly as a district staff member and schoolteacher, while noting the incident did not occur on school grounds.
- Investigators obtained a second-degree attempted murder warrant for Craig Berry on Monday, May 4, 2026, three days after the shooting.
- Officials reiterated that Berry, described as a retired Special Forces veteran, is armed with at least one handgun, may have additional ammunition, is very familiar with the area, and has extensive survival training, including being an excellent swimmer and diver in good physical condition.
- The Stewart County Sheriff's Office publicly asked residents to check their trail cameras because they have no confirmation Berry remains in the immediate area, and they warned people to lock doors and call 911 to report sightings.
- A trail camera image released by the sheriff's office shows a person believed to be Berry wearing camouflage clothing in the search area.