The U.S. Marshals are assisting in the manhunt for Texas escapee Gonzalo Lopez, 46, and offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading directly to his arrest, in addition to a $5,000 reward being offered by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
On Thursday, May 12, Lopez was on a bus with 15 other inmates and two guards en route to Huntsville from Gatesville, Texas. Lopez managed to free himself from his restraints and use an object to stab the bus driver, Officer Randy Smith. During the struggle, which ended up outside of the bus, Lopez briefly gained control of the Smith’s handgun. However, he was unable to remove it from the holster. The second guard, Officer Jimmie Brinegar, was able to shoot out the back tires of the bus. Lopez jumped back into the bus and attempted to drive off. He made it roughly a mile before losing control and crashing. He then took off on foot into a nearby field.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest United States Marshals Service District Office, or call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102.
Lopez is serving a life sentence for capital murder out of Hidalgo County and attempted capital murder out of Webb County. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Because of the escape, visitation has been suspended or limited at nearly four-dozen prisons across Texas.
