A retired Chicago homicide detective shot and killed his son after mistaking him for an intruder in his Northwest Side apartment early this morning, according to police and family.

Michael Griffin, 48, was found shot once in the head a little after midnight in his father’s home in the 5300 block of North Delphia Avenue, police said.

An autopsy performed today found Griffin died of a gunshot wound to the face and his death was declared a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The father, James Griffin, 77, was taken to Resurrection Hospital after complaining of chest pains, relatives said. No charges have been announced by police.

Stephen Griffin said his brother had been watching television with his father when he went outside. Michael Griffin was shot when he came back into the apartment.

"They were watching television together and they fell asleep, and my brother went out of the house and my dad assumed he was home, sleeping,’’ Stephen Griffin said.

He said another brother called him in the middle of the night and told him "something happened at dad’s house, that he shot an intruder," Stephen Griffin said.

"At that time he didn’t know who he shot. Then he called me back and told me the bad news,’’ said Griffin, whose mother died in 1999. “I’m just glad my mom wasn’t around to see this.

“It’s a tragedy,’’ said Griffin, 47. “I’m still in shock."

Michael Griffin had been kicked out of his apartment recently after losing a custodial job downtown and had moved in with his father just days ago, according to Stephen Griffin.

“The landlord locked him out of his apartment because he owned him rent," Griffin said. "He’d been staying there for a couple of days.’’

Stephen Griffin said his father and Michael were “close" and their dad was concerned over Michael losing his job.

Stephen Griffin was at a loss to explain what happened. While his father's senses “aren’t as sharp as they used to be,’’ he is in good physical health and was on a basketball league until recently.

“He’s in pretty good health except for some bumps and bruises from playing basketball," Griffin said. "I don’t know if his age had a lot to do with it.

"I’m still freaking out about it. I have two sons of my own and I can't image how he must feel,’’ Griffin said of his father.

rsobol@tribune.com

jgorner@tribune.com



Twitter: @ChicagoBreaking

