No new answers in 'CIA operative' case

09:14 PM CDT on Friday, May 9, 2008

KHOU.com staff report

HOUSTON -- Police released few new details in the case of a man who claimed to be a CIA operative and who was shot and killed by police last week following a high speed chase.

In an afternoon press conference, Houston police said federal agencies continue to deny that Roland Carnaby was ever a member of the U.S. intelligence community. Family provided photo Roland Carnaby, left, is shown in this undated photo with Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt taken at a HPD Policeman's Ball.

Assistant Police Chief Michael Dirden said the investigation into the case continues as police seek answers as to why Carnaby led officers on a high-speed chase that ended when police shot and killed Carnaby when the chase ended and they saw something shiny in his hand.

As it turned out, the shiny object in Carnaby’s hand was a mobile phone.

Despite continuing questions regarding HPD policy as well as efforts to confirm or categorically deny Carnaby’s claims of being some sort of intelligence officer, police officials remain mum.

Police did say that the three weapons found in Carnaby's SUV, two pistols and a shotgun, where registered and had been purchased locally.

Carnaby’s family, who buried the 52-year-old man on Monday, insists that he was some type of informant or officer for intelligence agencies. His wife Susan has also sued the city and HPD claiming the department violated “recognized chase policies” that resulted in her husband’s death.

The chase began after Carnaby was pulled over for speeding on State Highway 288 and Orem, but when he handed over what appeared to be a CIA credential instead of his driver’s license, the officer grew suspicious. Police were going to arrest Carnaby on suspicion of impersonating a federal officer, but he took off.

The chase, which reached 122 miles per hour at one point, ended when Carnaby stopped and was shot by police as he reached for something in his car. Police thought he was reaching for a weapon, when instead it turned out to be a mobile phone.

His wife has since sued the Houston Police Department for killing her husband.