Mother shoots son

Voice Staff Report

McCreary 911 dispatch notified Sheriff Randy Waters on December 30, 2021 at 10:16 am of reports of 2 shots fired on New Liberty Road. Sheriff Waters and Chief Deputy Tom Smith were in route to 3331 New Liberty Road when additional calls to E911 reported Betty Cox on the porch of her home yelling for help.

When the officers arrived they found Peggy Cox, Betty Cox’s daughter, in the yard of the home. Peggy Cox told the officers ‘I shot Bradley in the back.’ 

Bradley Cox, Peggy Cox’s son, was inside with gunshot wounds to his back from a 20 gauge shotgun. McCreary EMS transported Bradley Cox to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital where 39 pellets were removed from his back. He was treated and released later in the day.

Peggy and Bradley Cox, mother and son, lived with Betty Cox, Peggy’s mother. Peggy had accused Bradley of stealing her food stamp card, which Bradley denied. 

Sheriff Waters arrested Elizabeth (Peggy) Cox and while leading her to the police cruiser she tried to kick Deputy Smith in the legs. When she was placed in the cruiser Cox tried to kick the door out. 

Sheriff Waters charged Elizabeth (Peggy) Cox, age 45, with Assault, 1 Degree – Domestic Violence, Possession of a Handgun by Convicted Felon, Disorderly Conduct, 2nd Degree, Contempt of Court/Slander Resistance to Order, Contempt of Court Libel/Slander Resistance to Order, Assault, 4th Degree, Obstructing Governmental Operations. Cox was lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.

Peggy Cox

Photo courtesy MCSO

Pictured above is the house where the shooting occurred on New Liberty Road.