U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee's brother killed in shooting, family member in custody, sheriff says

Timothy Kildee, the brother of U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, was killed in a shooting Tuesday in Vienna Township, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said.

Swanson and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton held a press conference Tuesday afternoon when they detailed what the sheriff described as a "tale of violence" that led to Timothy Kildee's death.

Timothy Kildee, 59, was shot by his 27-year-old son after a confrontation inside Timothy Kildee's home, Swanson said.

"That shot took the life of Timothy Kildee," Swanson announced on Tuesday, describing the suspect's actions as "absolute violent behavior." 

The sheriff didn't directly identify Timothy Kildee's 27-year-old son by name but said the suspect was at Hurley Medical Center in Flint and being guarded by a sheriff's department employee.

The 27-year-old suspect got into a "high impact" car wreck minutes after fleeing the scene of the shooting in Timothy Kildee's vehicle with Timothy Kildee's wallet, Swanson said.

"The suspect has serious injuries," Swanson said.

Leyton said the suspect hadn't yet been charged but could face charges of open murder, carjacking and armed robbery.

"We do not believe at this point that there are any other suspects involved in the murder of Timothy Kildee," Swanson said.

The Genesee County sheriff said police first received a report of a domestic situation in Burton involving the suspect at about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday.

There was a verbal confrontation and a gun was presented, but the suspect "took off," Swanson said.

Later, the suspect was at Timothy Kildee's home and was overheard by someone else in the house demanding that Timothy Kildee give him his wallet and keys before the shooting, Swanson said.

Swanson said he had been in contact with Rep. Dan Kildee, a Democrat from Flint Township, and the congressman had asked the media and the public to respect the Kildee family's privacy.

"Clearly, this is tragic," Swanson said.

The suspect potentially had some "substance abuse" issues, the sheriff said.

"The behavior of the suspect lends anyone to believe that there was some type of breakdown and or entanglements that caused him to be so violent," Swanson said.

Timothy Kildee worked in the skilled trades and was member of Millwrights Local 1102, said the Warren-based union's president, Kelly Raleigh.

"He was a great man," Raleigh said Tuesday.

In a statement, Dan Kildee said his 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," the congressman said. “I thank the community for honoring my family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

cmauger@detroitnews.com