Tennessee man Benjamin Cook arrested after shooting at family sledding in the snow, deputies say

Tennessee Man Charged After Shooting at Family Sledding in Snow

A Tennessee man is facing serious charges after allegedly opening fire on a family that was enjoying a day of sledding in the snow, claiming they were on his property. Benjamin Cook has been charged with six counts of aggravated assault in connection with the incident, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Further charges may be brought as the investigation unfolds. Deputies were called to the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive after reports of a man shooting at a family of six who were playing outside in the snow.

The family, consisting of parents and their four children, had walked down the street to sled on a hill in their neighborhood. However, they were startled when gunshots rang out from a nearby house on Birchwood Pike.

The mother recounted seeing snow kick up just a few feet away from her one-year-old son, prompting the family to take immediate action. They quickly realized that the shots were coming from Cook’s property, prompting them to yell at him to cease fire.

Despite Cook’s claim that the family was on his property, they insisted that they were not trespassing. Following the confrontation, the family gathered their belongings and returned home before reporting the incident to authorities.

Deputies arrived at Cook’s residence to question him and gather evidence. They spoke with Cook and obtained images from a neighbor showing him walking through the woods with a rifle slung across his back.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that the family was not on Cook’s property at the time of the shooting. A search warrant executed at Cook’s residence uncovered several rifles inside, leading to his arrest on aggravated assault charges.

This disturbing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of responsible gun ownership. Authorities are continuing to investigate the case to ensure justice is served for the family involved.