Family of teen accused of killing Windermere officer releases statement

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Family and friends on Wednesday will honor the Windermere officer who lost his life in the line of duty.

The father of Brandon Goode, one of the suspects, released a statement offering condolences to Officer Robert German's family, while expressing grief of his own.

Goode's father said he's heartbroken and overwhelmed, but at the same time, he cannot comprehend the loss German's family is feeling.

The tight-knit town of Windermere has really rallied around German's family.

Small gestures have turned into a massive outpouring of support for the Germans and the Windermere police officer.

A cruiser in the center of town has become a tribute of its own, and blue ribbons adorn trees across town.

The family of the alleged killer released a statement expressing sorrow of their own.

Ricke and Connie Goode wrote in part: "Words do not exist to express the measure of our sorrow and sadness.  Our deepest sympathy and our heartfelt prayers go out to the friends and family of Officer German.  We are so, so sorry to them for what happened and they will be forever in our prayers."

German was gunned down Saturday morning while questioning Goode and his girlfriend, Alexandria Hollinghurst, who were walking down a darkened street in Windermere.

The two teens ran away from home in Polk County and were apparently suicidal.

Moments after German approached them, he called for backup. But soon after he was shot and killed.

Investigators suspect the two teenagers then turned the gun on themselves.

Goode's father, who also lives in Windermere, was out of the country Saturday morning during the shooting that also left his son and son's girlfriend dead.

Brandon Goode's family wonders if mental illness or drug abuse led to the tragedy saying: "Like everyone else in our community, we ourselves are struggling to understand this most horrific tragedy. We have no answers, only questions."

Wednesday and Thursday, thousands are expected to pay their respects to the 31-year-old officer at Northland Church in Longwood.

The Windermere Police Department will hold a candlelight vigil for German Friday night.

WFTV