A Tennessee man is being charged after he reportedly shot at a family who was sledding in the snow, claiming that they were on his property.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Benjamin Cook is currently being charged with six counts of aggravated assault in relation to the shooting. It is possible that additional charges will be added as the investigation progresses.
Deputies from the sheriff’s office quickly arrived at Stoney River Drive in response to a distressing call. The report indicated that a man had opened fire on a family of six who were enjoying the snow outdoors.
According to deputies, initial reports from the scene indicated that the parents and their four children strolled along the street to enjoy some sledding down a hill in their neighborhood.
Around 11:30 a.m., the family was startled by the sound of gunshots coming from a house down the hill near the 10400 block of Birchwood Pike. The mother’s attention was drawn to a sudden burst of snow flying up from the ground, mere feet away from her one-year-old son.
The parents quickly turned their gaze towards the source of the gunshots and shouted at a man, who was later identified as Cook, to cease firing. Cook argued that the family was trespassing on his property, but the family retorted that they were not on his land.
After the incident, the family collected their belongings and returned home. They later reported the incident to the authorities.
When the deputies arrived at the shooter’s house, they engaged in a conversation with Cook. Additionally, they acquired photographs from a neighbor, which depicted Cook wearing identical attire while strolling through the woods with a black rifle securely positioned on his back.
Cook was subsequently apprehended and charged with aggravated assault.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the family was not on Cook’s property when he initiated shooting.
During the execution of a search warrant at Cook’s residence, law enforcement officials discovered a collection of rifles.