Timothy Holden Obituary, Death – Kalamazoo police have reported that the man shot and killed by officers on Wednesday had previously threatened a woman who had obtained a personal protection order (PPO) against him. The man has been identified as 60-year-old Timothy Holden.
According to a statement from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS), police were alerted around 10 a.m. on Tuesday when the woman, who holds the PPO against Holden, reported that he had been repeatedly calling her. During these calls, he claimed to possess an AK-47 and a 9 mm handgun with 30 rounds of ammunition, warning that there would be a “tragedy” if she did not respond to him.
The PPO against Holden was issued following prior incidents of violence, including a home invasion, and police indicated that he had cut off his electronic monitoring device. As a precaution after the threat was reported, the hospital where the woman works was placed on partial lockdown.
Officers located Holden around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday in a vehicle parked on Harkins Court, situated on the north side of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. KDPS reported that officers attempted to box in Holden’s car using their cruisers to prevent him from escaping.
A witness indicated that Holden had used methamphetamine shortly before police found him. According to the police chief, as two officers approached Holden’s vehicle, he displayed a handgun, prompting them to open fire. He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police confirmed that they recovered Holden’s firearm, which he should not have possessed due to his status as a convicted felon. KDPS released an evidence photo of the weapon on Wednesday.
In a statement, KDPS emphasized their commitment to transparency and community safety, assuring residents that every effort was made to safely apprehend Holden and prevent further harm to the public. The department also promised to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Court records reveal that a warrant for Holden’s arrest was issued last month for felony possession of methamphetamine, with the offense occurring on August 20 in Kalamazoo. Additionally, he was wanted for violations of bond conditions.
Holden had a history of legal troubles, with three previous cases filed in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, including an armed robbery in February 2007, an aggravated stalking case from April 2023, and a first-degree home invasion case from September 2023.
The Michigan State Police are currently investigating the shooting, and the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in such cases. The KDPS Office of Professional Standards is also conducting a review as part of the protocol when deadly force is employed.