ATCHISON, Kan. — The family of the suspect involved in Friday night’s deadly shooting is speaking out about the loss of a five-year-old girl, and their family member who may be responsible for her death.
“I love him and when I got the news what`s going on, I`m having emotions. I`m up and down like a roller coaster,” said the younger brother of the 30-year-old shooting suspect, a man in pain following the news that his older brother was part of the officer-involved chase and shooting.
Five-year-old Cadence “Cady” Harris was killed. This man says his brother cared for the little girl as his own.
“Cady came out here and played with my kids. I have four sons and a niece and nephew, and Cady had a chance to be a part of the family while she was on here,” he said.
Family, this man says, will have to rely on one another as this case unfolds.
“It`s testing our togetherness. It`s just testing our will to stay together. Is this going to break us up or is it going to make us stronger,” he said.
Strength he says is critical in getting through the next steps.
“I know that there`s a judicial process that we`re going to have to go through. I know that there`s going to be evidence and stuff like that turning up and really just how to deal with that evidence. That`s why I cry, that`s what messes me up emotionally,” said the man; a younger brother, who admits his brother had problems.
“He didn`t try and just kind of gave up on himself,” he said about the suspect. “Regardless of what he does in his journey in life I`m going to be there, play my role as my brother, regardless of what he does.”
The man told FOX 4 his family moved to Atchison 20 years ago. He said his brother has not held a solid job in that time.
FOX 4 will not be releasing any names until investigators file formal charges against the suspect.
