Juvenile Pleads Guilty To All Charges In Death Of Cookeville Teen

The juvenile charged in the death of Cookeville High student Alex Hughes Brooks last October pled guilty to all charges Thursday.

The 17-year old, whose name has not been released, entered his plea in Juvenile Court to charges of Reckless Homicide, Aggravated Assault and Tampering With Evidence. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the juvenile has been in jail since October. He will remain in custody until he turns 19, the maximum penalty for the offense when committed by a juvenile.

In a statement Thursday, Dunaway said the investigation found clear evidence the juvenile acted recklessly in the death of Brooks and the hand injury of a second teenager.

“There is no evidence that the juvenile intended to shoot the victims,” Dunaway said in the statement. “Evidence does not indicate that the juvenile had an intent to shoot either victim or take a life. However, his reckless conduct did cause the gun to fire which caused grave harm to Alex and injured another. This conduct is inexcusable.”

According to the investigation, the juvenile brought the Glock handgun to Cookeville’s West End Park the day after his birthday. He was waving it around. A witness confirmed she was on a live Facetime call with the juvenile when the gun went off. The gun fired from the passenger seat of a vehicle near the basketball court.

Brooks was standing outside the driver’s door. The other shooting victim was in the driver’s seat. The bullet traveled through the driver side door and killed Brooks. The perpetrator ran from the park and hit the firearm. He later told Cookeville Police where the gun could be found.

Dunaway said Cookeville Police continue to investigate where he got the gun. That person or person(s) will be held accountable, Dunaway said.

“The events of October 6, 2023, are tragic,” Dunaway said in a statement. “Alex’s life was taken. His family will grieve this loss likely for their rest of their lives. The other juvenile victim also should never have been injured. Please pray for the victims families. It is near impossible to comprehend how it is possible to lose a child under circumstances such as these.”