Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee’s brother shot to death, nephew arrested
The younger brother of a Michigan Democratic congressman was murdered early Tuesday and the relative’s adult son was arrested in connection with the crime.
Authorities said Timothy Kildee, 57, was shot and killed in Vienna Township, just north of Flint.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said the 27-year-old suspect, whom Swanson did not name because he has not been formally charged, was in a local hospital after suffering “serious injuries” when he stole Timothy Kildee’s vehicle and crashed it into a pickup truck.
“Our family is grieving and heartbroken,” Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), 65, said in a statement. “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,” added Kildee, who announced this past November he would not seek re-election after 12 years in Congress.
Swanson said authorities were initially called to a home in nearby Burton, Mich. for a domestic dispute shortly before 3 a.m.
“The domestic dispute that happened in Burton did not have anything to do with the deceased Timothy Kildee,” Swanson said. “But the suspect was there, at another family member’s house who showed up. There was a confrontation there. A gun was presented and then from there he left.”
The suspect took off on foot and contacted his mother, Timothy Kildee’s ex-wife, who picked him up to return him to his father’s, Swanson said.
However, the suspect allegedly jumped out of the moving vehicle and took off again.
The woman contacted Timothy Kildee and the couple searched for the suspect. Around 5 a.m., Kildee returned home without his ex-wife.
At some point, Kildee’s other son, who was sleeping in the basement, reported hearing a shouting match between the suspect and his father.
Swanson said the other son heard the suspect tell Kildee to “give me your wallet and your keys” before a single gunshot was fired.
Timothy Kildee’s wallet was later found on the suspect, who commandeered his father’s truck before crashing it roughly eight minutes later at what investigators believe was a “high rate of speed” into another pickup truck carrying two people, according to Swanson.
Swanson said the two individuals in the pickup did not suffer serious injuries.
Swanson said there are no other suspects in the case at this time. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said the suspect could face charges including murder, carjacking, and armed robbery.
Law enforcement did not specify a potential motive behind the killing.
“There’s a potential of some substance abuse,” Swanson said. “The behavior of the suspect lends anyone to believe there was some type of breakdown and/or other entanglements that caused him to be so violent. But the key to this case, from all three scenes, is absolute violent behavior.”
“I have been in contact with Congressman Kildee, who was in Washington during this incident, and he is now en route back via commercial airline,” added the sheriff. “And he and his family who’ve all been notified have asked that the public and the media respect their privacy.
“He’s got an elderly mother and they have been through a lot. Clearly this is tragic, and it involves other family members.”
