New York – A New York man was ordered to spend the next twenty five years to Iife behind bars after pleading guilty earlier this year to second‑degree murder in the death of his 2-week-old child, EIeanor , and attempted murder in the shooting of his spouse, Meggan .
In June 2023, New York authorities were dispatched to the family’s residence following a report that a woman and her baby had been shot with a crosbow. First on the scene, officers found the mother holding her newborn, who had a boIt lodged in her upper body. Despite immediate efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken to a hospital with a non‑life‑threatening chest wound .
Responding deputies learned that the boIt struck the baby’s upper torso and exited near her armpit, then traveled through her mom’s chest before coming to rest. The weapon was collected at the location. A perimeter was set up, supported by New York State Police, the Sheriff’s Office and aerial drone teams, to track down the defendant, who had fled the home in his vehicle. His vehicle became mired in mud less than a mile away. He was apprehended after hiding in nearby woods.
During interrogation, investigators discovered that the shooting occurred amid an argument between the defendant and his spouse, with their baby in her arms. Prosecutors noted he removed the boIt from the baby’s body, hid his spouse’s phone to stop her from calling 911, and then fled the scene.
The woman told responding officers that her husband had shot them without warning. She begged for help in a 911 call that was later played in court, where her voice can be heard pleading as she cradled the child in her lap. Her account of the chaotic moments filled with fear and urgency became a central, heartbreaking part of the prosecution.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the defendant had a history of domestic violence and was subject to an active order of protection at the time of the shooting. Sheriff Aksar labeled the crime one of the most heartbreaking and senseless in recent memory, describing how the defendant ran into the woods and hid after the attack.
The victim’s mom publicly stated during sentencing that her former spouse is beyond forgiveness and showed no empathy and no humanity. According to New York authorities, following his capture the defendant blamed his wife, claiming she dared him to shoot and never asked the responding deputies how she or their daughter were doing.
The case underscores the deadly impact of domestic violence and the role of law enforcement and prosecutors in addressing such tragedies. Authorities continue to stress the importance of recognizing warning signs and enforcing protective orders proactively, in hopes of preventing future losses.