Chase Suspect's Family Stands Behind CIA Claims
By Elizabeth Scarborough
POSTED: 6:45 am CDT May 1, 2008
HOUSTON -- The family of a man who was fatally shot after leading police on a 45-minute-long chase through Houston is standing behind his claims of working for the CIA, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
His family is first to admit that Roland Carnaby had secrets.
"I think we don't know everything about Roland," brother-in-law Robert Kouts said. "There's always been a question of what he did specifically, but we never questioned that he did contract work for the government."
Relatives said he was a patriot, working for the federal government.
"He's no fraud," said Kouts. "The reason that's important is that he poured his life into this."
His family showed KPRC Local 2 plaque after plaque as proof of his work.
"Who would make up all of these plaques?" said Kouts. "He must have two dozen, one from each mission."
Houston police said they found CIA identification in his Jeep, but question whether it's authentic.
"They could have been made up," Capt. Steve Jett said. "It's amazing what you can do with a computer."
Carnaby's life ended after he led police on a chase.
He was pulled over initially for a traffic stop at 288 and Orem, but took off when police asked to see his handgun permit.
The chase ended on the West Loop near Post Oak Boulevard. After a standoff, two officers shot Carnaby because they believed they saw something shiny in his hand.
Investigators said they found three guns in the SUV, but believe Carnaby was holding his phone.
Former CIA officer David Adler said that behavior does not fit with his job.
"There's no legitimate reason for anyone who's CIA in the United States not to comply with local law enforcement's requests."
His family also questioned his behavior. "I don't know. I've thought about that and why," said Kouts.
Relatives said they do not question the identity of the man they loved. "He's one of a kind," Kouts said.
"He's one of the most interesting people you'll ever know."
Previous Stories: April 30, 2008: Credentials Show Chase Suspect In CIA
April 30, 2008: Friend: Chase Suspect Was In Intelligence
April 29, 2008: Suspect Shot In Police Chase Dies
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