83-year-old father of armed paraplegic shot by police sentenced

An 83-year-old Sussex County man will serve probation for a weapons charge stemming from a drug raid that ended in the police-involved shooting death of his armed paraplegic son.

Andrew Knox pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm or ammunition by a prohibited person on Nov. 19, the day before his 83rd birthday. Another charge, maintaining a drug property, was abandoned, court records show.

Knox could have served eight years in jail for the weapons charge. 

Early in the morning on Aug. 28, Delaware State Police’s Special Operations Response Team, the Sussex County Drug Unit and the Governor’s Task Force executed a search warrant at Knox’s home in the 22000 block of Harbeson Road following a three-month investigation.

Police found ammunition and "a large quantity of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription pills.”

Knox, a convicted felon, was detained by police while they searched his bedroom, where they found .22-caliber and .38-caliber bullets.

Also in the home was 50-year-old Robert Knox, who was paralyzed and in bed. During the raid, he reached for a handgun and was shot by two troopers on scene, police and court documents said.

Background:Armed paraplegic man was fatally shot by police wrapping up drug investigation

He died at Beebe Hospital.

Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt. Richard Bratz said the two troopers involved in the shooting have returned to full-duty status.

Knox was arrested on Feb. 21, 2003, on charges that included drug and weapon offenses, as well as maintaining a dwelling for drugs. After he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison. 

Following a related raid at another nearby home on West Springside Drive, police also charged 54-year-old Andrew Ayers with several drug and weapon offenses. Ayers' case continues, with a jury trial set for Jan. 28.

News Journal reporter Esteban Parra contributed to this story. Contact reporter Maddy Lauria at (302) 345-0608, mlauria@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MaddyinMilford.

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