A Tennessee man is in hot water after reportedly opening fire on a family enjoying some sledding in the snow, claiming that they were trespassing on his property, as stated by the NY Post. 

Benjamin Cook is facing six counts of aggravated assault related to the incident, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.

The sheriff’s office reported that deputies responded to the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive on Friday after receiving a call about a man firing a gun at a family of six playing in the snow. Initial details from the scene revealed that the parents and their four children had walked down the street to sled down a hill in their neighborhood, according to the deputies. 

Around 11:30 a.m., the family heard gunfire coming from a house down the hill near the 10400 block of Birchwood Pike. The mother noticed snow being kicked up just a few feet away from her one-year-old son. The parents quickly turned to the source of the shots and shouted at a man, later identified as Cook, to stop shooting. The man alleged that the family was on his property, but the family maintained that they were not. 

They then collected their items and returned home before notifying the authorities. Deputies arrived at the shooter’s residence and spoke with Cook. They also obtained photographs from a neighbor showing Cook wearing matching clothes while walking through the woods with a black rifle slung over his back. Cook was subsequently arrested on charges of aggravated assault. The investigation confirmed that the family was not on Cook’s property when he started shooting. A search warrant was executed at Cook’s home, where multiple rifles were discovered.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?