A Georgia man is behind bars after allegedly attempting to run over two women and a service dog in a chaotic confrontation inside a Walmart parking lot in Marietta, Cobb County law enforcement officials said.
Background
The incident occurred on the night of Sept. 4, just before the Labor Day weekend, at the Walmart located on Cobb Parkway in Marietta, a city approximately 15 miles northwest of Atlanta. Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities and local media outlets captures the erratic behavior of 49-year-old Brent Cook, who was driving a Lexus. The video allegedly shows Cook attempting to drive out of the parking lot, striking one woman, and then slowing down to reverse and turn the vehicle around to target her again. During the first alleged attack, Cook reportedly accelerated from his parking spot, slowed to within 10 feet of the first victim, and then veered toward her.
The confrontation did not end with the first woman. Authorities state that Cook then allegedly targeted a second woman who was walking with her service dog, a Belgian Malinois. While the woman managed to jump laterally out of the path of the vehicle, the dog was struck and injured. The victim told investigators that the dog, valued at $25,000, required $500 in medical treatment. Despite being harmed, the dog reportedly ran away from the attacking car. Police described Cook’s movements as erratic, noting that he drove from the east side of the lot to the south, then north through the west side, allegedly yelling that he wanted to kill the women and "your f—ing dog."
The Charges
The Cobb County Sheriff's Office arrested Cook and booked him into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. According to sheriff's office records, Cook stands accused of two counts each of aggravated assault and terrorist threats, as well as one count of criminal damage to property. Both the Atlanta-based ABC affiliate WSB and the Marietta Daily Journal reported that the aggravated assault charges carry attempted murder qualifications, though these specific designations were not immediately reflected in the initial sheriff's office records. As of the latest reports, the case had not yet been formally filed on the Cobb County court docket.
Key Takeaways
- Brent Cook, 49, was arrested for allegedly trying to run over two women and a dog in a Marietta, Georgia Walmart parking lot.
- Cook faces charges including aggravated assault, terrorist threats, and criminal damage to property.
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows Cook reversing his Lexus to target a victim after initially striking her.
- A Belgian Malinois service dog, valued at $25,000, was hit by the vehicle and required medical treatment.
- Cook is currently being held in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center with no bond set.
What's Next
Prosecutors are expected to file formal charges in the Cobb County Superior Court system, where the case will proceed through initial appearances and potential bond hearings. Defense attorneys are expected to review surveillance footage and witness statements to challenge the allegations of intent. The status of the attempted murder qualifications on the assault charges will likely be a focal point of early legal proceedings.