A convicted murderer who has been on the run for nearly a week managed to get out of shackles and cut through a metal cage to escape a transport bus, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Wednesday. The statement on escape inmate Gonzalo Lopez was part of the new details released as the state continues to ask for help finding him. The department said Lopez, 46, was being taken from his prison unit in Gatesville to a medical appointment more than 100 miles away in Huntsville on May 12. Lopez, who is serving two life sentences for murder and attempted murder, was caged inside a transport bus because of his high-risk status. State officials say Lopez managed to get out of his restraints, cut through the metal, crawl out through the bottom of the cage and attack the bus driver on a rural highway in Leon County. The Department of Criminal Justice says during the altercation, Lopez and two officers came out of the bus, but Lopez was able to reenter and drive away. Once the officers shot out the rear tire of the bus, the state says, Lopez fled into the woods and has not been seen since. A $50,000 reward is offered for the arrest of Lopez. The state says there is an ongoing investigation into his escape, including whether he had any assistance.
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Texas fugitive killed in shootout with police
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Fugitive Gonzalo Lopez was killed in a shootout with police, officials said. Lopez escaped from a prisoner transportation bus in Texas in May. CNN's Ryan Young reports.
1:24 • Source: CNN
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A convicted murderer who has been on the run for nearly a week managed to get out of shackles and cut through a metal cage to escape a transport bus, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Wednesday. The statement on escape inmate Gonzalo Lopez was part of the new details released as the state continues to ask for help finding him. The department said Lopez, 46, was being taken from his prison unit in Gatesville to a medical appointment more than 100 miles away in Huntsville on May 12. Lopez, who is serving two life sentences for murder and attempted murder, was caged inside a transport bus because of his high-risk status. State officials say Lopez managed to get out of his restraints, cut through the metal, crawl out through the bottom of the cage and attack the bus driver on a rural highway in Leon County. The Department of Criminal Justice says during the altercation, Lopez and two officers came out of the bus, but Lopez was able to reenter and drive away. Once the officers shot out the rear tire of the bus, the state says, Lopez fled into the woods and has not been seen since. A $50,000 reward is offered for the arrest of Lopez. The state says there is an ongoing investigation into his escape, including whether he had any assistance.
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