LANSING, Mich. (WLNS/WOOD) — The brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, Timothy Kildee, 57, was killed by his own son near Flint Tuesday morning, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office says.
Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, the sheriff’s office received a domestic violence call to a home in Burton, Sheriff Chris Swanson said in a press conference. The 27-year-old suspect, who is the sheriff says is Timothy Kildee’s son, came over to the house and got into a fight before pulling out a gun.
He then ran off and contacted his mother, who picked him up and was driving him to his father’s Vienna Township home when he jumped out of the moving vehicle. His mother connected with Timothy Kildee, and the pair went off to find their son.
Shortly after, Timothy Kildee came back, according to his other son who was staying in the basement of his home.
A yelling match began between Timothy Kildee and his 27-year old son, who is the suspect. The son staying in the basement heard the suspect say, “Give me your wallet and your keys,” according to the sheriff. That wallet was later found with the suspect, Swanson said.
Timothy Kildee’s witness son told deputies he heard a single gunshot during the fight.
“That shot took the life of Timothy Kildee, the brother of Congressman Dan Kildee,” Swanson said.
Swanson said the suspect then stole Timothy Kildee’s pickup truck, “blew the signal” and crashed it into another pickup just eight minutes after the shooting. He was injured in the crash and was hospitalized, with deputies keeping an eye on him.
Two people in the other pickup truck did not have serious injuries and are “doing well,” Swanson said.
No other people are considered suspects in the killing, according to the sheriff.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said the suspect has not been charged yet, but given what deputies already know about the killing, will most likely face charges of open murder, car jacking, armed robbery, using a firearm while committing a felony, carrying a concealed weapon and likely a motor vehicle infraction for the crash.
The 27-year-old suspect will not be identified until he is charged, Swanson said.
Swanson said substance abuse may have played a factor in what he called “absolute violent” behavior.
“The investigation shows a pattern,” he said. “But we have done significant interviews with a number of family members already. There’s a potential of some substance abuse … we won’t know until toxicology, but the behavior of the suspect lends anyone to believe that there was some type of breakdown and/or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent.”
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, released a statement Tuesday.
“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.”
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint
Dan Kildee is serving his last term in congress and is not seeking reelection this fall.
