Hamilton County man charged with attempted murder | Local News

UPDATE: After further investigation by the court, Benjamin Cook, 56, now faces six counts of attempted first-degree murder, among many other charges Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).

According to HCSO investigators, officers initially arrested Cook on Jan. 10 after receiving reports that he had shot at a family he claimed was sledding on his property.

Bullets landed in the snow just feet from the mother’s 1-year-old son near Stoney River Drive.

Photos taken by a neighbor showed Cook walking near the woods with a rifle, one of several later found at his home.

Investigators determined that Cook intentionally shot at the family as they drove over the fence of his property.

Investigators also determined that he is not permitted under Tennessee law to possess a firearm due to prior convictions.

Here are all of the additional charges against Cook:

• Six counts of attempted first-degree murder
• Four counts of aggravated child abuse
• Two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

The investigation is ongoing.

PREVIOUS STORY: A Hamilton County man was arrested Friday, Jan. 10, after shooting at a family he claimed was sledding on his property.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call from the 6300 block of Stoney River Drive regarding a shooting at a family playing in the snow.

Officers say when they arrived they discovered two parents had taken their four children down the street to go sledding on the hill in their neighborhood. Around 11:30 a.m. they heard several shots coming down the hill. The mother told police she could see snow rising from the ground just a few feet away from her 1-year-old son.

The parents say they yelled at the man to stop shooting. 56-year-old Benjamin Cook told them they were on his property, to which the family replied that they were not.

The family packed up their things, went home and called the police.

Officers discovered Cook’s home on Birchwood Pike and spoke with him. Police said a neighbor gave them photos showing Cook wearing the same clothing and walking through the woods with a rifle.

After police obtained a search warrant, they found several guns in Cook’s home. The investigation also revealed that the family was not on his property when he fired the rifle.

Cook was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated assault. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 10.

This is an ongoing investigation; Additional charges may apply.

Cook has a long and consistent arrest history beginning in the late 1980s and early 90s and extending into 2025. His charges include, among others:

• attack
• harassment
• vandalism
• Possession of drug paraphernalia