On February 17, 2003, 51-year-old Paul C. Cooke and his 56-year-old wife Margaret Ruffin Cooke were shot to death by their 19-year-old adopted son, Joshua P. Cooke, in the family home at 10504 Adel Road in Oakton.
The younger Cooke, who had two days previously purchased a shotgun with the specific intent of killing his adoptive parents, claimed he was firmly convinced that he was living in a virtual world similar to that portrayed in the 1999 movie "The Matrix".
"Only good things can come of more communication." - Cary Wiedemann, March 3, 2005