December 15, 2010 in News, Idaho

Short police pursuit ends in suicide

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Robert Kilborn
(Full-size photo)

A Hayden man died Wednesday after shooting himself in the face during a traffic stop in Dalton Gardens, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

Robert J. Kilborn, 48, was driving a red Chevrolet Blazer when a deputy tried to stop him at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday near Government Way and Hanley Avenue for having a faulty exhaust system, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.

Kilborn failed to stop and continued driving at about 20 miles per hour. Police followed him east on Hanley then south on Valley Street before he pulled into a driveway at 6167 N. Valley St. in Dalton Gardens, where a friend his apparently lived.

The deputy approached the vehicle and saw that Kilborn, the only occupant in the vehicle, had a long gun in his hand. The deputy backed away from the vehicle and the driver shot himself in the face. No other shots were fired.

Maj. Ben Wolfinger said the gun was a shotgun but did not know what gauge.

The deputy called for assistance and medics. Kilborn was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead Wednesday at 2:58 p.m., according to the news release.

Kilborn had outstanding warrants for failure to appear for a driving under the influence charge, according to police. His license was suspended.

The investigation has been turned over the Idaho State Police per Sheriff’s Department policy.

The Spokesman-Review typically doesn’t report on suicides unless they occur in public view or cause significant disruption.

Five comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  PlanB on December 15 at 10:21 p.m.

  It is so sad to think that someone could be so desperate that killing themselves is the only way out. But it happens all the time.

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  LIZZYANN on December 15 at 11:41 p.m.

  Rob…………………………It’s me, Liz Weisenbach/Ader. I thought you were the greatest! You will be very missed by me. I love you very much. Tell Jim that I love him. One day, I will see the two of you together laughing and talking about old times. You will always be in my heart. Liz

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  monkeyman on December 15 at 11:51 p.m.

  Is SR.com connected past the “world wide web”?!!
  Who is the Internet provider for the “other worlds”. I would also like to send a few messages…

  Are there witnesses? I would have the cop’s gun looked at just to make sure…

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  misjustice on December 18 at 10:27 a.m.

  Monkeyman, I think you can tell a shotgun blast from a hand gun. Just saying. From my contacts? Yes, there were lots of witnesses.

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  joshuagabert on September 11 at 11:10 a.m.

  Monkeyman, as a criminal that spent much of his time in prison, I am a 3 time convicted felon. I have delt with the police on many occasions. The police department is not going to shoot a man simply because he failed to stop. I know for a fact. I was in a pursuit in 2009, the headline reads “Man arrested after chase in North Idaho”. That pursuit was very dangerous, and agrivating for the police men and women involved. I placed alot of lives in Danger including many children. They did not shoot me, and truth be told, im sure the citizens of your area would not have blamed the police if they did. So maybe a little more optmism from their local citizens would be greatly appreciated. Good Job to the local police department and sheriffs department for handling my case as well as this one appropriatly! Keep up the good work GUYS!!