Armed paraplegic man was fatally shot in bed by two state police troopers in Harbeson

Show Caption Hide Caption Shooting of Paraplegic Man by State Police A 50-year-old paraplegic man was fatally shot in bed by two state troopers Tuesday morning as police were wrapping up an investigation into drug sales by the Harbeson-area man, authorities said.

A 50-year-old paraplegic man was fatally shot while in bed Tuesday morning by two Delaware State Police troopers after investigators said he grabbed a handgun.

State police were executing a search warrant at the Harbeson area home at 6:05 a.m. when the man grabbed the gun.

"A struggle over the weapon ensued, which led to two troopers discharging their divisionally issued handgun," said Master Cpl. Melissa Jaffe, a state police spokeswoman.

The 50-year-old, who has not been identified, was rushed to an area hospital where he died.

The owner of the home and the victim's father, 83-year-old Andrew Knox, was arrested on charges of maintaining a drug property and possession of ammunition by a person prohibited, according to court records and his attorney Christopher Tease.

Knox was released on a $13,000 unsecured bond.

Police have not released information on the charges.

"State police are doing their investigation, and we are going to look into this as well," Tease said.

One trooper sustained minor injuries as a result of this incident, Jaffe said.

Both troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave as per state police policy, Jaffe said. One of the troopers involved in the shooting has been employed by the force for eight years, while the other has been with the department for seven years.

Detectives recovered a loaded handgun, drugs and other weapons from the scene, police said.

"This case continues to remain under investigation, with further details being released as they become available," Jaffe said.

Neighbor Lelia Lord said she was feeding her horses Tuesday when she noticed several cars parked at her neighbor's ranch-style home. Seconds after watching a police officer exit one of the vehicles, Lord said the rural area's tranquility was shattered.

"Pop, pop, pop," Lord heard coming from across the road. "I knew somebody was shot.

"Then all hell broke loose."

Soon marked and unmarked police vehicles arrived at the 22000 block of Harbeson Road. Officers on foot swarmed the home, tucked in a wooded area just off the road.

"I've never seen anything like this before around here or at their place," Lord said. "They've always been quiet. They're a nice family."

Lord added that she had always felt safe.

State Department of Transportation trucks closed Harbeson Road between Cool Spring and Andersons Corner roads. The road was reopened about 1 p.m.

Tuesday's incident marks the third state-trooper shooting since this time last year. Two separate trooper-involved shootings in December left a 30-year-old and a 16-year-old dead.

On Dec. 9. Juliun Pitcher, a Symrna 16-year-old, flashed a gun in the front seat of a car that had been pulled over by a trooper, police said.

The car was stopped for a traffic violation on Fieldstone Court, east of Kenton Road in Dover. Pitcher and the trooper exchanged gunfire. He was hit and died from his injuries.

Six days later, Adam Radcliffe was stopped by state police as he drove back from delivering gifts to family friends. Radcliffe was stopped for multiple traffic violations, including hitting a pole, police said.

Once the trooper reached the car, the officer somehow became attached to the vehicle when Radcliffe tried to drive off. The car dragged the trooper in the snow.

The officer grabbed for his holstered gun and began firing at Radcliffe. The trooper was freed from the car before it ran through a fence and into a creek. Radcliffe was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Delaware Attorney General's Office has not cleared either of the investigations, according to its website.

DELAWARE CRIME

'Disappointed,' 'appalling': Experts react to failure to upload DNA of 1,600 convicts

Discrimination suit names No. 2 in New Castle County police department

Police release part of 911 tape in wheelchair shooting

Subscribe to Delaware Online Our Labor Day Sale ends 9/6. Act now to get a special introductory offer for new subscribers: just $1 for 3 months of unlimited digital access!



Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.