Officials believe convicted killer’s escape in Texas was premeditated

CENTERVILLE, Texas (KBTX/Grey Information) – The search continues for convicted killer Gonzalo Lopez. Officers say the 46-year-old has been on the run for about 48 hours.

Lopez is serving a life sentence for capital homicide out of Hidalgo County and tried capital homicide out of Webb County, KBTX reported.

Canine groups have been deployed to look over a four-mile perimeter that begins the place Lopez escaped after he crashed a jail bus off Freeway 7 in Centerville on Thursday. Officers mentioned they consider he was in a position to escape his restraints with a home made weapon. Texas Division of Felony Justice Chief of Employees Jason Clark mentioned they nonetheless don’t know what that weapon was.

Legislation enforcement additionally believes he used that very same weapon to assault the officers on the bus and take management of it earlier than the crash. Clark mentioned Lopez was sitting in direction of the entrance of the bus earlier than the incident occurred.

“Lopez is a person that’s harmful,” Clark mentioned. “He has a disregard for human life. That’s apparent from his convictions, and it’s apparent from his escape, however I can inform you that TDCJ is not going to relaxation till Lopez has been captured.”

Clark mentioned regulation enforcement has acquired calls from residents who consider they’ve seen Lopez close to their residences since his disappearance. Clark mentioned officers noticed Lopez below a tree Thursday after he escaped however haven’t been in a position to find him since.

Officers mentioned they consider Lopez remains to be in Leon County and that his escape was premeditated. They’re investigating if different inmates or jail workers helped him escape.

“We all know from Lopez’s historical past and his earlier makes an attempt to get away from regulation enforcement that he’ll keep put and lay low with the hopes that regulation enforcement will transfer to a distinct space, however I can simply inform you we’re not gonna transfer,” Clark mentioned. “Lopez is gonna get again in custody.”

The reward for info that results in the inmate’s arrest is now $50,000.

Suggestions will be despatched to the Texas Division of Felony Justice Workplace of the Inspector Common Crime Stoppers at 1-800-832-8477, 936-437-5171, or your native regulation enforcement company at 911. Suggestions may also be left on the TDCJ web site.

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