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Man Who Shot Himself After Chase, Shootout Removed From Life Support Save Email Print

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(June 23, 2008)—Casey Brunette, 21, the Brenham man who shot himself after leading authorities on a high-speed chase, died after he was removed from life support around 10:45 p.m. Saturday.

His organs were donated, KBTX-TV in Bryan reported.

Brunette's sister, Kristie Manley, said the last few weeks of her brother’s life were an emotional roller coaster because of a relationship with an ex-girlfriend.

She told KBTX she wants people to know Brunette, 21, was a good person.

Manley said her brother joined the ROTC at Brenham High School and then joined the Army.

She said the family still finds it hard to believe how his life came to an end.

Manley said she assumes her brother was scared and hurt, and that, by the time police caught up with him, he felt he had nowhere to turn.

"He was a very caring and loving person, and would help anyone who needed it. I just wish everyone else knew who Casey really was,” she told the TV station.

Texas Rangers are investigating after the chase through Montgomery and Walker counties Thursday that left four law enforcement officers injured.

The chase started near on FM 1097 near Willis where Montgomery County deputies were alerted to a suspicious truck.

Authorities say Brunette shot out of the back window of his pickup and fired at Montgomery County deputies as he led them up I-45 into Walker County.

Officials said he shot at law enforcement vehicles several times during the pursuit.

The suspect truck hit a resident’s vehicle in Huntsville before the chase ended in a rock quarry at the end of 16th Street in Huntsville.

Brunette rammed a deputy's car and exchanged gunfire with officers, according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s officials before shooting himself.

Four deputies were taken to the hospital.

Three Montgomery County deputies received minor injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital.

One officer was seriously injured from shattered glass in his eyes.

Brunette was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then was flown by helicopter to Herman Hospital in Houston.

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Posted by: Steve Location: Killeen on Jun 30, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Madmax do you spend most of your career away from your families??? Do you spend it in some crappy country that doesn't give a rats but about you or your family??? Do you pull three days without sleep to get a mission accomplished then maybe get a few winks in between??? Do you abuse you mind and body 24/7??? Do your friends get killed by IEDs (I have lost three, in the current one)??? I do applaud you and the rest of the Police Officers and Firefighters, even though more can always be done, Also being in the military is nothing like being a police officer or firefighter. I believe that each actually takes a different kind of person...Just my 02 worth. I also know plent that went over with solid minds and plenty that came back a complete mess and I pray for thise everyday )o;

Posted by: anonymous Location: austin on Jun 24, 2008 at 05:03 PM
The Viet Nam war vets were forgotten. I believe there were a little over 58,000 of our men, mostly under 30 yrs of age. My husband came back but none that I know ever got counseling nor did America welcome them with open arms. I remember and love them all. They all needed counseling. God bless the military and our law enforcement. They deserve our prayers and our love forever.

Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on Jun 24, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Well Gulf War, I have never been in the military nor will I because I'm already in Law Enforcment and will stay. I've been shot at, shot, have had permanent injuries from my career. Unlike the military, we don't get counseling, we don't get disability, we don't get half the stuff military gets, yet we fight a war EVERYDAY at work... I got a whopping $4500 dollars settlement from my work injuryies, so your V.A. Claim may take a while, but atleast you will get it for the rest of your life. I do applaud you and the rest of the military veterans, eventhough more can always be done, I feel that alot of afforded to you, unlike those who serve in other fields with the same jobs..

Posted by: a gulf war veteran Location: texas on Jun 24, 2008 at 11:54 AM
madmax, have you ever gone through a compensation claim with the VA? if not, then i can personally tell you they can take a long time. remember that story about the email sent out at the temple VA "suggesting" doctors to refrain from diagnosing PTSD? well, i dont think this is about him being made to look like an angel but now we will never know if he was just one of the many soldiers who didnt get the treatment they so desperately needed. that is the point i see some are trying to make.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 24, 2008 at 10:56 AM
here we go again about the good cops. all cops are a waste of tax payers money.

Posted by: Nope Location: Temple on Jun 24, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Because we don't have all the facts we have no right to judge. I am not saying what he did is ok and we should look the other way, but where's the understanding? I didn't say compassion as so many people have none these days, but this could be anyone's brother or son or even you! When a person loses all hope they do desparate things not even realizing what they're doing. We all know how a wounded animal behaves. Sounds like a classic case. Too bad there had to be a chase that made him feel cornered with no where to go. Prayers go to his family and to those brave law enforcement officers who put their life on the line every day on our behalf. I pray that the officer with glass in his eyes is not permanently affected by this.

Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on Jun 23, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Um, not gonna shut up... You obviously must side with criminals.... I honestly don't care about his poor pitiful life, he tried to kill Cops... That's the principle behind the story.. If he had such issues, his family should have tried harder to get it treated instead of using it as an excuse after the fact..

Posted by: No Name Location: No City on Jun 23, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Many veterans have not received mental help they need. This young man may have been one that did not get the help he needed to sustain him through this crisis. Prayers go out to his family. Prayers go out to the recovery of our dedicated law enforcement who were injured in the line of duty. Every day these good men and women put their life on the line for all of us. THANK YOU!

Posted by: Bystander Location: Bryan on Jun 23, 2008 at 06:24 PM
I believe this young man had mental health issues from being in Iraq and then felt situation hopeless with his life. Iraq has caused many to commit suicide over least little thing. One of the by-products of that unnecessary war. I believe Casey is a casualty of Iraq over here. Casey, the Lord bless and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and grant you Peace.

Posted by: Yep Location: Belton on Jun 23, 2008 at 04:10 PM
I agree with Madmax. Anon @2:19 - if we don't know the facts - we have a right to judge. He shot at cops/injured several - he shouldn't be made to look like an angel.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 23, 2008 at 03:41 PM
PRAYERS GO OUT TO FAMILY NO ONE KNOWS WUT HE went threw in the army that affected. still doesnt mean he should of drove of or wutever!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 23, 2008 at 02:19 PM
MADMAX.....you don't know the whole story....so SHUT UP!

Posted by: Madmax Location: Killeen on Jun 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Why are they making him look like the victim? Who cares about his story, why not talk about the heroes who chased this criminal and ended up in the hospital, or even the Deputy who has a severe eye injury from this loser??? Need to focus on the heros and not the criminal..

Posted by: caring mom Location: waco on Jun 23, 2008 at 11:54 AM
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. No one really knows what this young man went through that caused his life to end like this.

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