Coroner IDs Infant, Father Killed In Murder-Suicide

JOLIET, IL — The Kendall County Coroner's Office announced on Monday that 18-month-old Colton Michael Miller was fatally shot multiple times by his 35-year-old father, Christopher Michael Miller, who later died of multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

"On the evening of Saturday, September 21, 2019, the Kendall County Coroner’s Office was requested to respond to the scene of a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 8300 block Buckingham Road in Joliet, Illinois, where an 18-month-old male and a 35-year-old male were found deceased," the coroner's office said in a statement.

"As a result of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 18-month- old male, identified as Colton Michael Miller of the 8300 block of Buckingham Road in Joliet, it was determined that he had died of multiple gunshot wounds. As a result of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 35-year-old male, identified as Christopher Michael Miller of the 1800 block of Wildspring Parkway in Joliet, it was determined that he had died of multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds."

The murder-suicide happened in Joliet's Windsor Ridge subdivision, west of Ridge Road, in Kendall County.

According to Joliet Police, officers responded to the domestic disturbance call around 2:45 p.m. Saturday after neighbors heard a female screaming at the residence. A 32-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl made it out of the house and were standing out front, according to police.

"Both the 32-year-old female and the 9-year-old female juvenile appeared to have fresh injuries. The officer was advised that the sound of gunshots came from the house moments before his arrival," police said.

Police said the suspect had barricaded himself inside the house. He and the woman were married but separated, according to authorities.

Neighbors told Joliet Patch on Sunday the man was currently living in another house in the same subdivision, about two blocks away.

On Monday afternoon, Joliet Police issued a subsequent press release that contained the following key facts and statements:

• The 32-year-old victim stated her husband, Christopher Miller, and her were separated for some time and he wasn’t living at her residence.
• Christopher Miller had been told he was unwelcome at the house on Buckingham Road.
• Christopher Miller showed up anyway and illegally forced this way into the residence.
• Christopher attacked his estranged wife upon entering her house.
• She yelled to her 9-year-old daughter to grab the baby and flee.
• Christopher Miller prevented the 9-year-old girl from grabbing the baby prior to fleeing.
• Miller barricaded himself inside the two-story house.
• All the attempts the police made to communicate with Miller failed.
• The Special Operations Squad later breached the front door to search for Christopher Miller so he could be taken into custody. However, he and his 1-1/2 year old infant son were both dead.
• A gun was recovered and it was used in both shootings.
• Based on the physical evidence collected at the scene and witness statements, the Joliet Police investigation has led detectives to determine that Christopher Miller fatally shot his 1 1/2 year old baby before shooting himself.

Monday's press release contained the following statement from Joliet Chief of Police Al Roechner: "My heart goes out to the family of the victim. This was a senseless act that will forever change the lives of those involved. These types of calls not only affect the family, they also affect our officers. To take a life of an innocent child is beyond comprehension.

"Domestic violence is a serious issue that we will never take lightly. We encourage anyone who is a victim of mental or physical abuse to please seek help by contacting your local police department and reaching out to local domestic violence programs."

Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, visiting their website or texting HOME to 741741.