Retired Chicago cop kills son after mistaking him for burglar: sources
By Stefano Esposito Staff Reporter October 9, 2012 10:20AM
Exterior of the apartment building where Michael Griffin, 48, was shot earlyTuesday morning, October 9, 2012 | Scott Stewart~Sun-Times
Article Extras
Updated: November 11, 2012 6:16AM
A retired Chicago Police detective shot and killed his own son early Tuesday after mistaking him for a burglar trying to enter the father’s Far Northwest Side home, police sources said.
The sources described the shooting as an accidental tragedy.
Michael Griffin, 48, 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 around 12:45 a.m. and found him inside the residence, police said.
Catherine Matzaris, who lives in the unit across from the family, said the retired policeman had lived there alone for several years
and was a kind, friendly neighbor.
Matzaris said she was awakened early Tuesday, not by gunshots but by detectives knocking on her door.
Matzaris, 71, described her neighbor as a “nice” and “quiet” man, who liked to chat about his son and grandchild, who live out of state. Matzaris said she
last chatted with her
neighbor Saturday. “He was nice,” Matzaris said. “I
don’t see nothing wrong with him.”
Contributing; Frank Main
