Texas fugitive accused of murdering household while on the lam killed in shootout

Victor I. Nava

June 03, 03:17 AM June 03, 03:19 AM

A convicted murderer who escaped from custody immediately after stabbing a prison bus driver and is suspected of slaying a loved ones of five although on the operate is dead following a shootout with police, authorities mentioned Thursday.

Gonzalo Lopez was armed with an AR-15 and many pistols that authorities believe he stole from a dwelling in Centerville, Texas, following killing two adults and three young children at the residence. Law enforcement in Atascosa County, Texas, on Thursday spotted a vehicle thought to have been stolen from the dwelling by Lopez and gave chase, the Texas Division of Legal Justice reported. Lopez wrecked the automobile in Jourdanton, Texas, and was killed after he fired at officers, according to authorities. The escaped convict had been on the run given that Could 12.

“We are really saddened that the murders transpired but I will explain to you we are respiratory a sigh of reduction that Lopez will not be equipped to hurt any one else,” stated Texas Section of Felony Justice Chief of Staff Jason Clark at a push meeting.

Many VICTIMS IN WISCONSIN CEMETERY Taking pictures: Law enforcement

Authorities say the firearms Lopez utilized in the shootout with police ended up stolen from the residence of the murdered victims.

The 5 victims had been identified lifeless on Thursday around the area in Leon County in which Lopez, 46, escaped the jail bus, according to local outlet KBTX.

Lopez and 15 other inmates ended up heading to a health-related appointment in Huntsville, Texas, on Could 12 when he broke no cost of his shackles, minimize by a metal cage on the bus, and attacked the driver.

The bus driver, who was stabbed many instances by Lopez, was equipped to prevent the car and get out with Lopez and another guard on the bus. Lopez, nonetheless, was capable to get back on the bus a generate for a limited distance as both of those the driver and guard fired at the bus's tires. Lopez fled into the woods just after the bus was disabled.

The bus driver's wounds had been non-lifestyle-threatening and none of the other inmates on the bus escaped, in accordance to authorities.

Lopez had been serving a everyday living sentence for cash murder. He was convicted in 2006 just after killing a male with a pickax.

Authorities have not launched the names of the 5 folks Lopez is believed to have killed though on the lam.