A disastrous event unfolded early on the morning of March 19, in Genesee County, Michigan. Timothy Kildee, 57, brother to Michigan Representative Dan Kildee, was shot and killed at his residence in Vienna Township.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson revealed that the suspected shooter is Timothy Kildee’s 27-year-old son, also named Timothy, who is currently in police custody and facing multiple charges.
The incident started with a reported domestic dispute around 2:50 a.m. in Burton, Michigan. The police state that the suspect was involved in a confrontation with an individual and produced a firearm.
The suspect subsequently fled and reached out to his mother, the ex-wife of the victim, who transported him towards his father’s home. He fled from his mother’s moving car before reaching his father’s residence.
The victim and his ex-wife started a search for their son. After the unsuccessful search, the victim returned to his residence.
The suspect later arrived at his father’s residence. Another son, present in the house, overheard a confrontation during which the suspect allegedly demanded his father’s wallet and keys, and then shot him.
Sheriff Swanson provided a detailed account of the events leading to the tragic incident, including the suspect leaving his mother’s moving car, returning to his father’s home, and the ensuing altercation that resulted in a shooting.
Post-shooting, the suspect fled in his father’s pickup truck, soon crashing it. The crash left him with serious injuries. He was hospitalized and is currently under police surveillance. Minor injuries were reported from the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the collision.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton outlined the charges against the suspect which include open murder, carjacking, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, and a potential motor vehicle violation related to the crash. Leyton also noted that toxicology reports were pending, which may confirm substance abuse by the suspect.
Upon learning of the incident from Sheriff Swanson, Rep. Kildee returned to Michigan from Washington, D.C.
Rep. Kildee issued a heartfelt statement, expressing his family’s deep sorrow and asking for privacy during this challenging period. “Our family is grieving and heartbroken. There are no words to describe the loss of a beloved brother and family member, especially in such a terrible tragedy. I thank the community for honoring my family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” he stated.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Sheriff Swanson highlighted the potential role of mental health or substance abuse issues in influencing the suspect’s actions.