Brother says suspect 'was a good kid'

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - The older brother of the robbery suspect who was killed by a Cedar Park police officer Friday night said Sunday that his family tried to raise the young man right.

"He was a good kid," Justin Runge said of his brother, Chad, 20. "Growing up, he was into the normal boy stuff ... guns, cops and robbers."

Contrary to a neighbor who said Chad Runge was abandoned, Justin Runge told KXAN that his brother was raised by a single mother.

"She worked four jobs," Justin Runge said. "And to come home to spend time with your two boys is incredibly strong."

Police said Chad Runge robbed Little Caesers in the 200 block of Walton Way, and was killed behind a nearby Bush's Chicken after confronting an officer.

Runge had an arrested record that included drug offenses and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

.Chad had dreams of joining the Army, according to his family.  Those dreams were dashed by drugs and a felony conviction.

 "I think that's honestly when I think it went to the extreme of being bad. I think he just thought, 'Well I can't join so ... what does it matter?'" Justin Runge said.

He said his brother probably robbed his former employer because he was trying to fit in with a new crowd.  He even suggested that his brother might have been joining a gang.

"I sat him down and said, 'Dude,  this ain't a good life,'" Chad Runge said. "But he didn't listen to anyone."

Despite his inability to help himself and to take the help of others, Chad Runge cared deeply for his family, especially his mother, a mother now planning his funeral, his brother said.

"He loved my mom.  Whether it was legal money or drug sales, he was always asking her, 'Hey, do you need extra money? If you need help, give me me a call.'  He wanted to make sure she was OK," Justin Runge said.

Cedar Park police are keeping a tight lid on this officer involved shooting.  Chief Henry Fluck said he did not want to compromise the integrity of the investigation before putting it in front of a grand jury.

That will take at least 60 days.

"The Cedar Park Police Department did some truly outstanding police work regarding the apprehension of this armed robbery suspect," said Fluck.

The officer who fired the fatal shots has been reassigned to administrative desk duty.

Fluck is expected to release that officer's name Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the Williamson County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Rangers are also investigating the shooting.

Dash cam of the shooting, according to Fluck, does not exist.  Fluck said officers ran after Runge, leaving their cars behind.

Funeral plans for Runge remained pending Sunday.