Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Son; Dad Says He Shot At A Squirrel

May 10, 2021

A Cantonment man was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill in an incident with his adult son.

William Jason Cook, 44, was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

The victim told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he was in his room asleep with his girlfriend when Cook kicked his door open and screamed at him before going outside. The victim then heard a gunshot outside his window, according to an arrest report, before Cook began “wiggling his window air conditioner” and hitting the window.

The son told deputies that he was in fear for his life and believed his was going to be shot by Cook.

Arriving deputies found a loaded shotgun with seven shells in the woods and a spent shotgun shell in the front yard.

Cook told deputies he woke up and noticed his gate was damaged and believed that someone broke into his property. Cook said he went to his son’s room to alert him of the situation before going outside with his shotgun to investigate.

“William Jason Cook stated while he was in the front yard, he saw a squirrel and he shot his shotgun at the squirrel,” the arrest report states, before going deep into the woods to see if anyone was there. Cook stated that there was no argument with his son.

Deputies noted in their report that no one involved in the incident was under the influence at the time.

Comments

23 Responses to “Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault Against Son; Dad Says He Shot At A Squirrel”

  1. Bob on May 14th, 2021 4:41 am

    Time to leave daddy’s basement

  2. James on May 12th, 2021 4:28 pm

    Yea them damn squirrels in Cantonment are getting out of hand .
    Caught 4 just the other morning trying to steal my pickup.

  3. Matchbox on May 12th, 2021 10:35 am

    If you are in fear of your life.. in your parents home.. there is a solution ….how about this.. get your own residency and then you can lay in bed all you want

  4. Dizzybean on May 11th, 2021 3:16 pm

    All lies Jason would never hurt his child son is on drugs and so is his girlfriend they were asked to leave but snuck back in while he’s sleeping and destroyed his home some of you would be mad too wife don’t make matters any better ….

  5. 429SCJ on May 11th, 2021 8:36 am

    I can see his Grandfather in his face.

  6. J D on May 10th, 2021 9:53 pm

    Known Jason since middle school. I don’t believe for one minute bad intentions towards his son’s life was on his mind. More likely making a point about whatever the situation was. Having your adult children living with you gets very aggravating. Whole situation sounds twisted.

  7. Dean on May 10th, 2021 7:20 pm

    Squirrel lives matter

  8. Bill on May 10th, 2021 5:22 pm

    Save the Squirrels

  9. William L on May 10th, 2021 2:03 pm

    @pop There is no season on squirrels, coyotes, pigs and a few other animals.

  10. tg on May 10th, 2021 1:50 pm

    Sons nickname is Squirrel.

  11. Stumpknocker on May 10th, 2021 12:00 pm

    @Me Too , sounds like a humdinger!!!! Lol

  12. Facetious Bob on May 10th, 2021 10:27 am

    “(D)eputies found a loaded shotgun with seven shells in the woods.” He must have thrown the weapon at the critter. This story is getting squirrely.

  13. Honest John on May 10th, 2021 9:40 am

    Paul @
    Perfect line from a good movie.

  14. Pop on May 10th, 2021 8:59 am

    Isn’t Squirell season out?

  15. Darrell on May 10th, 2021 8:21 am

    How about this … adult son .. with girlfriend… MOVE OUT !!!!

  16. Howie on May 10th, 2021 7:38 am

    Appears that Daddy Cook is squirrelier than the squirrel. So what would happen if he had found someone hiding in the woods? Doesn’t look good from this side of the fence.

    Now go repair or replace the bedroom door you kicked in.

  17. Me Too!!! on May 10th, 2021 7:38 am

    These squirrels around here are getting out of hand…..Just last week, I was held up at gunpoint by three of them.. They got my wallet, my watch and my right shoe. Chip Simmons really needs to go after these guys. I think it was gang related.

  18. Bewildered on May 10th, 2021 7:18 am

    Time for adult son to provide his own residence for his girlfriend!

  19. neighbor on May 10th, 2021 7:01 am

    Bad situation all around. I know Jason very well and I know he would never hurt that boy. I hope the best for all involved

  20. Jeffrey on May 10th, 2021 6:14 am

    Sounds legit.

  21. john on May 10th, 2021 6:12 am

    Amongst all that was going on. He was going to make himself some squirrel giblets and dumplings once things settled down!

  22. Just Saying on May 10th, 2021 5:31 am

    Uhm ok no physical contact son did not see a firearm only heard a shot. Some on deputies no battery no assault. I swear police investigations have become arrest and move on.

  23. paul on May 10th, 2021 1:14 am

    well I’ll be needin that gun for squirrels and such…