Crime
Former Campbell High School Student Killed in Shooting at After-Prom Party, Suspect Carlos Diaz Arrested
The victim, identified in the arrest warrant as Ashton, a juvenile age 17 or younger, was fatally shot during an altercation.
Powder Springs, Ga. – A former Campbell High School student tragically lost their life in a shooting that occurred over the weekend at an after-prom party in Powder Springs, according to authorities.
The incident took place on Saturday night at a residence on New MacLand Road in West Cobb County.
The victim, identified in the arrest warrant as Ashton, a juvenile age 17 or younger, was fatally shot during an altercation.
Police have arrested Carlos Diaz, who is now facing multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting have not yet been released.
Campbell High School Principal Dr. Vanessa Watkins addressed the tragedy in a letter to parents on Sunday, confirming that the victim was a former student.
“With a heavy heart, I find myself typing the most devastating words for a principal to type or a parent to read,” Watkins wrote. “Late last night, at a house in West Cobb, a fight resulted in a former Campbell student losing their life. While this tragedy didn’t have anything to do with our school directly, we have already begun hearing how it is affecting our students.”
In response to the incident, Campbell High School has arranged for counseling services to be available for students and staff who may need support.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and additional details may be released as the case progresses.
Crime
Kenneth Cook Arrested for Incest After Fathering Three Children with Biological Daughter Alexzandrea Thomas
MacArthur, W.Va. – A Raleigh County man has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including incest, sexual abuse, and child neglect, after authorities discovered he had an incestuous relationship with his biological daughter, resulting in the birth of three children.
According to a criminal complaint, 43-year-old Kenneth Cook, of MacArthur, West Virginia, was taken into custody on Thursday, March 6.
He is facing charges of:
- Sexual abuse by a parent or custodian
- Third-degree sexual assault
- Child neglect
- Three counts of incest
Investigators allege that between 2019 and March 2024, Cook engaged in a non-consensual sexual relationship with his biological daughter, Alexzandrea Thomas, which led to the birth of three children, currently aged 5, 3, and 1.
The complaint states that Alexzandrea Thomas is now 21 years old, meaning that the first child was conceived when she was under the age of 16, and Cook was 38 years old at the time.
Throughout this period, Cook and Thomas were residing together in the same household.
Authorities launched an investigation following a referral from Child Protective Services (CPS) regarding concerns of abuse and neglect involving the youngest child, who, at one year old, weighed only six pounds.
Medical personnel at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) determined that the 1-year-old was severely malnourished and exhibited signs of medical neglect, as his health had continued to deteriorate without proper intervention.
Further concerns were raised when the attending physician noted physical characteristics commonly associated with an incestuous relationship.
This prompted genetic testing, which was conducted on all three children and later sent to the Mayo Clinic for analysis.
The test results confirmed that the children’s parents shared a first-generational biological relationship, indicating that their parents were either a parent and child or full-blooded siblings.
As Thomas has no full-blooded siblings, investigators determined that Cook was the biological father of all three children.
Cook is currently being held at Southern Regional Jail on a $500,000 bond as the investigation continues.