A 56-year-old man, Benjamin Cook, was arrested in Hamilton County, Tennessee, after allegedly firing shots at a family sledding near his home. The incident occurred on Friday around 11:30 a.m. in the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive, prompting a response from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
According to the sheriff’s office, the family was sledding down a hill in their neighborhood, accompanied by four children, when they suddenly heard gunshots coming from a house located down the hill, near the 10400 block of Birchwood Pike. The mother of the children reported seeing snow being shot up just a few feet from her 1-year-old son. Concerned for their safety, the parents shouted at the man, later identified as Cook, urging him to stop shooting. Cook, however, claimed that the family was trespassing on his property, an assertion that was later disproven by evidence gathered at the scene.
The family immediately packed up their belongings and left, later contacting the authorities. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies interviewed Cook, who had been seen by a neighbor carrying a rifle through the woods. The neighbor provided photos that matched Cook’s description and clothing, corroborating his involvement in the shooting. Additional evidence, including a search warrant for Cook’s home, revealed several rifles, further solidifying the case against him.
The investigation confirmed that the family was not on Cook’s property, as he had claimed. Cook was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault. Deputies have indicated that additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. The sheriff’s office is continuing to assess the situation, and more updates are expected.
