Former FBI Agent: I Knew Chase Suspect By Different Name

Last Edited: Friday, 02 May 2008, 11:31 AM CDT

Created: Thursday, 01 May 2008, 4:25 PM CDT

FOX 26

HOUSTON -- Roland Carnaby claimed to work for the CIA. But the suspect who police shot at the end of a citywide car chase Tuesday was known by a different name to the former agent in charge of the Houston FBI.

"I only knew him as Tony," said Don Clark, FOX 26's security and law enforcement analyst and former FBI agent. "I had no idea what his name may have been or was. The name that was in the newspaper, I had never seen that name before."

Carnaby, 52, was pulled over Tuesday morning for speeding and then led police on a chase when the officer discovered he possessed a concealed weapon license. His death was ruled a homicide Thursday afternoon after medical examiner's officials determined he died from a gunshot wound to the torso.

Investigators and FBI and CIA officials have said they could not trace Carnaby's connection to either agency, but family members said Carnaby had awards, pictures and books signed with several officials, including former CIA Director George Tenet and former Secretary of State James Baker. But Clark says he thought Carnaby was too talkative for an intelligence agent.

"People who are involved in those types of activities are very closed mouth," Clark said.

Federal credentials also were found inside the SUV, but police say the CIA is sending someone to Houston to examine Carnaby's alleged Agency credentials.

"If the person was portraying to be something that he wasn't, I think they have a responsibility to see if there's been any damage that's been done," Clark said.

Carnaby was the president of the Association For Intelligence Officers, a non-profit organization for current or former intelligence professionals and supporters of the intelligence community. Organization officials posted a note on their Web site Thursday, extending their sympathy to family and friends "over his untimely and inexplicable death."

"A man gifted with remarkable people skills and charm, Roland called upon his wide range of contacts -- particularly those in the Houston and Federal law enforcement communities -- to support an impressive speaker series and other local activities in the Houston chapter he reactivated a few years ago," the Web site states. "Mr. Carnaby underscores the achievements and energy associate members bring to the association to assist in the educational mission of AFIO."

Officers shot at Carnaby as he exited his vehicle because they thought he was reaching for a gun. A thorough investigation of his vehicle after the chase revealed Carnaby had two pistols and a shotgun, and one of the weapons was within his reach.

"One of the officers, on the passenger side, saw the suspect reach down and make an obvious and overt movement underneath the seat. Fearing for his safety, he fired the weapon one time," HPD Sgt. John Chomiak said.

But Randall Kallinen, an attorney representing Carnaby's wife of 11 years, said his death should have never occurred.

"The police did not follow procedure," Kallinen said. "They escalated the situation and then two individuals, two police officers, shot an individual who was unarmed."

Houston police are still investigating the case.