Short police pursuit ends in suicide

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.