KNOX TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A Brookville man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot his son-in-law during a domestic dispute in Knox Township last week.
Telford Lee Fox, 77, of Brookville, is facing one first-degree misdemeanor count of terroristic threats and one summary count of harassment in connection with the incident.
According to a criminal complaint filed at Judge Bazylak’s office, troopers from Punxsutawney-based State Police responded to a domestic dispute at a Fox Lane cabin on September 17 around 4:36 p.m.
The troopers were dispatched after Fox’s daughter called 9-1-1 to report that her father was threatening to shoot her husband and burn down his residence.
Fox’s daughter told the 9-1-1 dispatcher that she believed her father was having a mental issue and was concerned because there were firearms at his residence.
Prior to police arrival, phone contact was made with Fox and he was instructed to meet the troopers outside of the residence.
Upon arrival, Fox appeared to be calm and said he was aware of the reason the police were there.
According to the criminal complaint, Fox told police that he had gotten into an argument with his son-in-law about mowing grass at the Fox Lane cabin.
Fox said he told his son-in-law that he was “going to shoot him after he refused to help mow the grass,” according to the criminal complaint.
Fox told the troopers that he wasn’t serious about the threats and he was “only upset about not receiving help” mowing the grass.
Police then interviewed the victim, Fox’s son-in-law, at his residence on Green Valley Road.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim said he was attempting to clean the cabin with his wife when Fox arrived on a UTV. The victim said Fox was upset over “difficulties with the mower.”
The victim said that Fox told him to “either help with the mower or say he won’t.”
After the victim reportedly told Fox that “his outburst needed to stop and that he was driving everyone crazy,” Fox allegedly began jumping up and down while screaming.
At this point, Fox allegedly walked away and said “I wish I had my gun right now, cause I’d put a bullet in your head,” according to the criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim said Fox then got on the UTV and headed toward his home. The victim told police that he believed Fox was going to retrieve a gun at this point.
During an interview with the police, Fox’s daughter corroborated her husband’s account of what occurred at the cabin.
She also told the police that she was “fearful” because her father owns several guns.
After the dispute, the victim and his family fled to safety at their house along Green Valley Road, according to the criminal complaint.
She said her father also threatened to “burn his house down.”
She also told police that it wasn’t the first time her father had made “threats like this.”
Investigators also interviewed Fox’s wife who related that it was the “fourth or fifth” time her husband had made “threats like this.”
She told the police that Fox was “very angry” and attempted to punch her but missed.
Fox was taken into custody and placed in the Jefferson County Jail after failing to post $40,000.00 cash bail.
He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak on September 18 at 8:35 a.m.
A preliminary hearing is slated for October 6 with Judge Bazylak presiding.
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