Two dead following incident in Knox County

An investigation of a shooting involving officers that occurred on Gilchrist Road, in
Monroe Township is ongoing. On Friday August 19 th at approximately 11:21p.m., Knox County
Dispatch received a call from a bail bondsman who said that his vehicle had been shot multiple
times by Randy Wilhelm. The bondsman was attempting to apprehend Wilhelm, who had failed
to appear in Knox County Common Pleas Court on a $100,000 bond. Deputies immediately
requested assistance from outside agencies while responding to the scene.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter provided assistance using night vision
equipment. The pilots reported that two people were firing rifles in their direction from the
Wilhelm property. During the incident, a bulk propane truck was moved and parked next to
one of the houses on the property. Randy Wilhelm had previously threatened to use the
propane tanker as a bomb if law enforcement attempted to apprehend him.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Response Unit received assistance from the
Mount Vernon Police ESU, Richland County ASORT, Delaware County Tactical Unit, Marysville
SRT, Ohio State Highway Patrol SRT, and the OSHP Aviation Unit. Law enforcement acted under
a search warrant issued by the Mount Vernon Municipal Court for Randy Wilhelm and for
firearms that Wilhelm was prohibited to possess.
Several of the agencies provided armored vehicles for the effort. Three of the vehicles
were struck by gunfire from the two subjects. At approximately 9:21a.m., the two suspects
were shot by officers as they were riding in a side-by-side ATV toward officers who were
outside of an armored vehicle. The suspects have been identified as Randy A. Wilhelm age 56
and Bradley L. Wilhelm age 53. Both suspects were armed at the time. Randy Wilhelm was
under indictment in Knox County Common Pleas Court for charges including intimidation,
menacing by stalking, bribery, felonious assault, and domestic violence.

OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
KNOX COUNTY

11540 Upper Gilchrist Road Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
Phone 740-397-3333 Fax 740-397-5277
Civil Process / Records 740-393-6800
SHERIFF DAVID SHAFFER

During the ongoing investigations involving Randy Wilhelm, detectives had received
information from multiple sources that he had a stockpile of firearms and ammunition. He had
made threats that he would not be arrested and he had the skills to defend himself. Wilhelm
was a well-known trap shooter and proficient marksman.
We knew that a barricade situation was a likely possibility if he was on the fenced in
compound that includes three houses and several outbuildings. Deputies had been preplanning
and conducting surveillance in an attempt to maximize the likelihood of a safe and peaceful
resolution, however based on their actions, the brothers unfortunately did not appear to have
any intention of being arrested.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal
Investigation to conduct an independent investigation into the officer involved shooting.