Authorities assert that a father ended the life of his 3-week-old daughter by firing a crossbow at her.
Father in New York Sentenced for Grisly Crossbow Attack
📍 COLESVILLE, NY - In a shocking turn of events, 28-year-old Patrick Proefriedt, a New York resident, has been slapped with a 25-year-to-life prison sentence for the brutal crossbow attack that claimed the life of his 3-week-old daughter, Eleanor, and left his wife with non-life-threatening injuries[1][2].
On a grim June 26, 2023, the Broome County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a distressing report. An adult female and a mere 21-day-old infant had been struck by a crossbow at a residential property.
The preliminary investigation painted a chilling picture. Proefriedt, embroiled in an argument with his wife, had allegedly discharged the crossbow while his wife was holding Eleanor. The broadhead bolt pierced Eleanor's upper torso fatally and exited through her armpit, later striking her mother in the chest.
Facing mounting opposition, Proefriedt attempted to remove the bolt and prevent his wife from dialing 911 before making a hasty escape in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck. However, his escape was short-lived, as he was found less than a mile from the scene, hidden in the woods, after his vehicle became stuck in the mud.
Eleanor died at the scene, while her mother was luckily discharged from the hospital on the same day with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The horrific incident took place in the quiet town of Colesville, stirring shock and disbelief among the community[3]. The brooding remnants of Proefriedt's vehicle, abandoned in the woods, served as a chilling reminder of the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded within the confines of a seemingly ordinary dwelling.
As the case went through the legal process, Proefriedt pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder, finally receiving his sentence on June 27, 2025. The Broome County court's decision reflects the immense gravity of the crime that Proefriedt committed[1][2].
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In the gravity of the events, the Broome County court's decision for Patrick Proefriedt, the man sentenced for the grisly crossbow attack, reflects the severe consequences in the realm of crime-and-justice. The general-news of this tragic incident in Colesville, NY, also serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impacts of politics, as it underscores the importance of strong laws to protect vulnerable citizens.
