A Tennessee man, Benjamin Cook, is facing six counts of aggravated assault after allegedly opening fire on a family sledding in the snow. The incident occurred on Friday in the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the family of six was playing outside when they heard gunshots coming from the direction of a house down the hill. The mother observed snow fly up from the ground near her one-year-old son.
The family confronted the shooter, later identified as Cook, who claimed they were on his property. The family denied this, gathered their belongings, and went home before reporting the incident to authorities.
Deputies responded to Cook's house and obtained pictures from a neighbor showing him in matching clothing walking through the woods with a black rifle. Cook was arrested on aggravated assault charges.
An investigation revealed that the family was not on Cook's property when he began shooting. A search warrant executed at his home found several rifles inside.
6 Comments
Muchacha
We can't ignore the fact that people need to feel safe in their own homes.
Marishka
This is outrageous! How could anyone think firing a gun at a family playing in the snow is acceptable?
Pupsik
This is not just a case of 'defending one's property'; it's reckless endangerment!
Marishka
It's easy to criticize from the outside. He might have been scared or provoked!
Pupsik
We shouldn’t rush to judgment without knowing all the background. People react differently in stressful situations.
KittyKat
He was probably scared and thought he was doing the right thing. Let's not vilify him just yet.