Maryland State Police are asking the public for help — and offering a cash reward — as investigators continue to probe a fatal shooting in Somerset County that left one man dead and another critically injured.
Two Salisbury teenagers, a 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, have been arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder, second-degree murder, robbery and related offenses in connection with the Jan. 26 shooting in Princess Anne. Under Maryland law, first-degree felony murder applies when a death occurs during the commission of certain crimes, such as robbery, regardless of whether the suspect intended to kill.
Because both suspects are juveniles, their names have not been released.
Police said they believe others may have been involved and are asking people to share what they know. Crime Solvers of the Lower Eastern Shore is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of anyone connected to the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Joe Meier of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit at 443-515-0034. Calls may remain confidential.
Details of the case
Deputies with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from the Maryland State Police responded shortly after 2 p.m. Monday to the 11000 block of Dryden Lane in Princess Anne for a reported shooting. Authorities found two men inside a 2026 Kia Seltos SUV parked in the roadway, both suffering apparent gunshot wounds.
One of the victims, Derrick Knox, 46, of Salisbury, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide by gunshot.
A second victim, Kevin Pillar, 41, of Salisbury, was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to a shock trauma center and remains in critical condition, police said.
Police said the girl was taken into custody without incident shortly after the shooting near Stewart Neck Road and Beckford Road. She was processed at the Maryland State Police barrack in Princess Anne and later transported to the Somerset County Detention Center, where she is being held without bond.
The boy was also arrested without incident at about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in Salisbury. He was taken to the Maryland State Police barrack in Salisbury for processing.
State Police officials said Sunday that a motive has not yet been determined in the case.
Moving forward
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit are leading the case with assistance from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Joe Meier of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit at 443-515-0034. Calls may remain confidential.
Have a news tip? Contact Emerging News Editor Brian Carlton at bcarlton@baltsun.com.