Patrick Proefriedt allegedly killed his three-week-old daughter with a crossbow and injured her mother (Pictures: Broome County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)

A father is accused of fatally firing a crossbow at his infant daughter and injuring her mother who was holding her in her arms.

Patrick Proefriedt, 26, got into an argument with his wife at their home in Colesville in upstate New York on Monday morning, according to the Broome County Sherrif’s Office.

Proefriedt ‘fired a crossbow at her while she was holding their 3-week-old daughter’, stated the sheriff’s office on Facebook.

‘The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before striking the woman in the chest.’

Patrick Proefriedt had a history of domestic incidents with his wife (Picture: Broome County Sheriff’s Office)

Patrick Proefriedt has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree criminal contempt (Picture: Broome County Sheriff’s Office)

Proefriedt ‘allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to stop the woman from calling 911’, then fled in a red pickup truck before deputies arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies tried lifesaving measures on the girl and then brought her to paramedics. The infant, named Eleanor Carey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her mother was rushed to Wilson Hospital for treatment.

‘This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,’ said Sheriff Fred Akshar. ‘Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey.’

Patrick Proefriedt is accused of killing his three-week-old daughter Eleanor Carey with a crossbow (Picture: Facebook)

Cops who arrived at the scene searched the area with multiple patrol units and drones. Proefriedt was found in the woods less than a mile away from the home with his 2016 Dodge Ram stuck in mud.

Proefriedt has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree criminal contempt. He is being held under custody of the sheriff’s office as he awaits his arraignment. Proefriedt had a history of domestic violence incidents with his wife and had an active stay away order of protection in place against him.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Sheriff Akshar commended ‘the quick and decisive action of our Law Enforcement division in responding to this tragedy and ensuring Mr Proefriedt did not escape justice’.

Patrick Proefriedt allegedly got into an argument with his wife who was holding their three-week-old daughter and fired a crossbow at them.