Joseph Skinner Jr.

Joseph Skinner Jr. was a 72-year-old Black / African American man and a longtime resident of Flint, Michigan. Remembered as a dedicated father and friend, he loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his large family of children and grandchildren. His life was cut short in a violent incident in the fall of 2021.

On the morning of October 28, 2021, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence in Flint following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Mr. Skinner suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation began immediately, and authorities quickly identified a suspect. The victim’s own son, Joseph Skinner III, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting. The arrest sent a shock through the community and the grieving family as they tried to understand the circumstances of the tragedy.

Joseph Skinner III was subsequently charged in connection with his father's death. During legal proceedings, he entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge. This plea created complications for Mr. Skinner’s estate, leading to a civil legal battle over a life insurance policy. Under Michigan's "slayer statute," an individual who feloniously and intentionally kills another person cannot inherit from them. The civil court filings also exposed internal family tensions, with some of Mr. Skinner’s other children making allegations about a conspiracy surrounding the events of his death. The criminal and civil litigation was still proceeding as of the last available reports.