A West Virginia man allegedly shot his father in the face with a crossbow during a domestic dispute, with the projectile entering below the victim’s eye and exiting the back of his head—yet the father survived in what authorities are calling a remarkable case of survival.

Violent Confrontation Leaves Father Fighting For Life

Chase Fleming entered his father’s home in Jackson County with a preloaded crossbow on March 23, 2026. The two became involved in an argument that escalated when Fleming allegedly fired the weapon, striking his father in the face. The crossbow bolt penetrated just below the victim’s left eye and traveled completely through his skull, exiting the rear of his head. Despite the catastrophic nature of the injury, the victim remains in stable condition at a local hospital. Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger expressed astonishment at the survival, stating the circumstances were beyond comprehension.

Son shoots DAD in the FACE with a CROSSBOW — bolt goes straight THROUGH his head… and the father SURVIVES?! 😱

Chase Fleming, 35, argued on the phone, showed up loaded, fired point-blank in Kenna, WV, then led cops on a snowy manhunt across counties before getting caught… pic.twitter.com/GFjPOQCnxn

— jfromnash_clips (@lee_jfromnash) March 20, 2026

Following the attack, Fleming fled the scene in his pickup truck but later crashed the vehicle. Authorities launched an immediate search operation that would span two counties and cover approximately seven miles of challenging terrain. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department deployed multiple K-9 units and drone technology to track Fleming through snow-covered wooded areas across Jackson and Roane counties. The search proved exhausting for responding officers as they pursued the suspect through harsh winter conditions.

Massive Search Ends With Suspect In Custody

After an extended foot pursuit through remote wilderness, deputies located Fleming hiding beneath a rock formation on an isolated ridge. He surrendered to authorities without resistance and was taken into custody. Following his arrest, Fleming required medical evaluation and was admitted to a hospital for observation before deputies could process him for incarceration. He now faces charges of malicious assault, with prosecutors indicating additional charges remain possible as the investigation continues. Bond has not yet been set in the case.

Questions About Domestic Violence And Weapons

The incident raises serious concerns about escalating family conflicts and the availability of dangerous weapons during domestic disputes. Crossbows, while legal to own in West Virginia, can deliver lethal force comparable to firearms when used at close range. The father’s survival represents an extraordinary medical outcome given the trajectory of the projectile through vital areas of the skull. Authorities continue investigating the circumstances that led to the confrontation and whether any warning signs existed prior to the violent encounter. The case underscores the unpredictable nature of domestic violence situations and the critical importance of intervention resources for families in crisis.