Man accused of shooting at sledding family: authorities
Jan 12, 2025
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Thousands of people across Tennessee spent Friday enjoying the snow, but for one family in the southeastern side of the state, their wintry fun was cut short when a man allegedly shot at them.
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to a report of an individual shooting at a family playing in the snow in Harrison, about 15 miles outside of Chattanooga, on Friday.
According to authorities, parents had taken their four children to go sledding on a hill in their neighborhood late Friday morning. While sledding, several gunshots were reportedly heard coming from a home down the hill. The mother of the children said she saw snow fly up from the ground a few feet from her 1-year-old son.
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Officials said the parents immediately looked in the direction of the shots and yelled at a man to stop shooting. The man allegedly claimed they were on his property, but the family told him they weren't. After that, the parents gathered their kids and belongings, returned to their home, and called law enforcement.
Deputies arrived and spoke with the man, identified as Benjamin Cook. Pictures obtained from a neighbor showed Cook wearing matching clothes while walking through the woods, carrying a black rifle slung across his back.
Law enforcement also obtained and executed a search warrant at Cook's house, where they reportedly found several rifles.
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Cook was subsequently arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault, according to the sheriff's office. Additional charges could be filed, pending an investigation.
Deputies also determined the family was not on Cook's property when the incident occurred.