Cedar Park cop kills robbery suspect

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - Cedar Park police are investigating a robbery where Chad Runge, 20, was killed, causing an officer to be reassigned.

Police responded to an armed robbery in progress at the Little Caesar Pizza restaurant in the 200 Block of Walton Way .  Friends and neighbors of Runge told KXAN Runge used to work at the pizzeria up until a few months ago.

When someone inside the restaurant called 911, Runge ran toward his house. He made it a half mile away behind Bush’s Chicken restaurant, located at 551 West Whitestone .  The restaurant is one block from the trailer he was staying.

Behind Bush's Chicken is where Runge allegedly confronted an officer and was fatally shot. Runge died at the scene.

"In the distance I heard pop, pop, pop and that was it," said Runge's neighbor Diane Waddington.

Waddington was out on her porch with her boyfriend Friday night and was not aware her neighbor was shot and killed.

She did not know him personally and described him as 'not typically friendly.'

Runge had a number of prior charges on his record.

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

Police determined Runge's identity via fingerprints.  Officers said Runge did not have any identification on him at the time.

The officer has been reassigned as the investigation continues. Police say his name will be released Monday.

"The details of this incident will be withheld until the grand jury review.  At the grand jury review, the full details will be released to the public," Fluck added.

Fluck said the department and district attorney hope to present the case to the grand jury within 60 days and believe sharing any detailed information would compromise the integrity of the investigation.

The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Texas Rangers.

Fluck said in the past 12 years there has only been one other officer involved shooting and in the other case, the suspect was not fatally wounded.

"It may not be the Ritz around here, but this type of thing doesn't happen," Waddington added.

KXAN did try to speak with the residents living at the trailer Runge was living in.  His best friend declined to comment.

Police did not say whether a weapon linked to the suspect was recovered.