Two More Teens Charged in Derrick Knox's Princess Anne Homicide

Maryland State Police announced late February that two additional juveniles — a 14-year-old boy arrested Feb. 10 in Princess Anne and a 16-year-old boy arrested Feb. 4 in Chula Vista, California — have been charged in the Jan. 26 fatal shooting in Princess Anne that killed 46-year-old Derrick Knox. "Following consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in Somerset County, both are charged with first degree felony murder, second degree murder, robbery, and other related charges," the Maryland State Police news release said.

The shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Jan. 26 in the 11000 block of Dryden Lane in Princess Anne, where deputies from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack found two men with apparent gunshot wounds inside a 2026 Kia Seltos parked in the roadway. Derrick Knox, 46, of Salisbury, was pronounced dead at the scene; 41-year-old Kevin Pillar was airlifted to a nearby trauma center.

Two juveniles were arrested in the immediate aftermath, Delmarvanow reported: a 17-year-old girl from Salisbury was located "shortly after the incident occurred" in the area of Stewart Neck Road and Beckford Road and taken into custody without incident, processed at the Princess Anne Barrack and transported to the Somerset County Detention Center. Delmarvanow also reported a 16-year-old boy from Salisbury was arrested at a residence — taken into custody "at 9:45 a.m. this morning" in that account — processed at the Salisbury Barrack and later held at the Somerset County Detention Center.

The two additional arrests detailed by state police bring the total in custody to four juveniles, and all are being held without bond at the Somerset County Detention Center. The 16-year-old taken in California was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Chula Vista on Feb. 4 and, according to the news release, was extradited to Maryland last week. The 14-year-old was arrested in Princess Anne on Feb. 10, state police said. A Maryland State Police news release explicitly states, "A 14-year-old and a 16-year-old, both boys, are being held at the Somerset County Detention Center without bond."

Investigators have signaled the case is not believed to be random. Delmarvanow reported that "The preliminary investigation indicates this was not a random act of violence." Maryland State Police said the Princess Anne Barrack and the Homicide Unit are handling the investigation and that charges were filed "following consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in Somerset County." Delmarvanow also noted that "Additional arrests are expected pending the ongoing investigation."

Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. "Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit at 443-515-0034." Additional contact details printed on the state police news release include 1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208 and phone numbers (410) 653-4200 | (800) 525-5555 | (410) 486-0677 (TDD) as well as 1-888-373-7888 and 233733. The homicide investigation remains active as prosecutors and state police prepare charging documents.