Tywon Jermaine Burton, 34, of Griffith, has been charged after Griffith police alleged he threatened to kill his mother with a kitchen knife during a family dispute that reportedly began after she told him she had not purchased a pair of shoes he wanted. Court documents also allege Burton assaulted his sibling during a struggle over the weapon and later threatened police officers and jail staff. 

According to court documents, officers were dispatched around 9:16 a.m. on July 12 to an apartment in the 800 block of North Glenwood Avenue after a report of a fight involving a knife. When officers arrived, they found Burton and his sibling wrestling on the living room floor and ordered them to separate before taking Burton outside to investigate.

Police said Burton initially told officers the argument involved money that his sibling allegedly owed him and their mother, as well as a recent vehicle crash. However, investigators said Burton’s sibling told officers Burton had been yelling inside the apartment before grabbing a knife and threatening their mother. According to court documents, Burton then allegedly turned toward his sibling while holding the knife, prompting a struggle to disarm him. During the altercation, Burton allegedly grabbed a cymbal from a nearby drum set and struck his sibling in the head and arms before being restrained until officers arrived.

According to court records, Burton’s mother told police she had been preparing lunch when Burton came into the apartment and asked whether she had bought him a pair of shoes. After she replied that she had not, Burton allegedly became angry, grabbed the kitchen knife she had been using to cut vegetables, and threatened to kill her. She also told officers Burton threatened to kill the family because he did not get the shoes he wanted.

Investigators recovered the knife from behind a couch where it had landed during the struggle. Police measured the knife at approximately nine inches in overall length with a blade measuring about five inches. 

Court documents state Burton continued making threats after his arrest. While being transported to the Lake County Jail, he allegedly yelled insults at officers and threatened to kill them. After arriving at the jail, Burton allegedly continued threatening jail staff, including threatening to kill a jail employee while awaiting medical clearance. 

Charges Filed July 13, 2026:

Intimidation While Drawing or Using a Deadly Weapon — Level 5 Felony

Domestic Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon — Level 5 Felony

Intimidation: Threat to Commit a Forcible Felony — Level 6 Felony

Intimidation Related to Victim’s Occupation or Employment — Level 6 Felony (2 Counts)

Domestic Battery — Class A Misdemeanor