Chicago Man Shot And Killed Son He Thought Was Burglar

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 9, 2012 9:30PM

Authorities say a retired Chicago Police detective shot and killed his own son in an "accidental tragedy" early Tuesday morning. Police say the man's son entered the Far Northwest Side home wearing a skull cap, and the father thought he was a burglar when he shot him.

The Sun-Times writes:

The son, 48-year-old Michael Griffin, had been temporarily living with his father in a first-floor condominium in the 5300 block of North Delphia, the sources said. At some point either late Monday or early Tuesday, Griffin went out. When he returned home a little later, wearing a skull cap, the father thought his son was a burglar and then shot him, the sources said.

Police responded to the condominium about 12:45 a.m. and found him inside the residence, police said.

In September, a Connecticut man shot and killed who he thought was a burglar, but it turned out to be his 15-year-old son. In that case, the father did not learn until after the police unmasked the "burglar" that he discovered he'd shot his son.