Timothy Kurt Holden Obituary, Death – Kalamazoo police have identified the man shot and killed during a confrontation with officers as 60-year-old Timothy Kurt Holden. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, Oct. 8, after Holden, who was carrying a gun, was tracked down by police following violent threats he made to a woman. The woman had a Personal Protection Order (PPO) against Holden due to previous violence, including a home invasion. On the day of the incident, Holden repeatedly called her, threatening harm if she didn’t respond, claiming to have an AK-47 and a 9 mm gun with 30 rounds of ammunition.
Police were initially dispatched to a local hospital at 10 a.m. after the woman, who worked there, reported the threats. As a precaution, the hospital was partially locked down. Officers learned that Holden had recently removed a court-ordered tether, intensifying concerns about his intentions.
By around 12:30 p.m., officers located Holden driving within the city. They followed his vehicle to Harkins Court, near Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, where they attempted to block him in to prevent a pursuit. As they approached the vehicle, Holden brandished a handgun. Two officers fired their weapons, striking Holden. Despite immediate efforts to save his life, Holden was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.
A handgun was recovered from the scene, and it was determined that Holden, a convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms. A witness also reported seeing Holden use methamphetamine shortly before the police confrontation.
Holden had an extensive criminal history, including charges of home invasion, assault, armed robbery, and stalking. He was also wanted on a no-bond warrant for felony drug charges and had violated conditions of his bond multiple times.
The Michigan State Police have been called to investigate the shooting, and the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, following standard protocol. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) emphasized its commitment to transparency and community safety, promising to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a crash followed by gunfire and expressed concern for bystanders, including children, who were in the area when the shooting occurred. KDPS reassured the public that every effort was made to safely apprehend Holden and prevent further danger to the community.