Gonzalo Lopez, 46, was serving a life sentence after being sentenced to death and attempted murder, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The escape took place on Highway 7 near Centerville, about 120 miles north of Houston, at about 1:20 p.m., according to department officials.
As the transport bus headed from Gatesville to Huntsville, Lopez managed to break free and reach the driver, Officer Randy Smith, TDCJ spokesman Robert Hirst said.
“They got into a physical altercation while Officer Smith was driving the bus. He stabbed Officer Smith in the left hand with an object,” Hearst said during a press briefing held by CNN’s KBTX affiliate. “Officer Smith fought him, trying to stop him from taking his service revolver, his weapon.”
Hearst said Smith prevented the prisoner from taking up arms and the bus stopped.
“The prisoner got off the bus, the other prisoners were still in their places – still in their restraints,” he said.
The other officer on the bus, Officer Jimmy Brinegar, shot the fleeing prisoner with his service weapon and rifle, according to Hearst. “We don’t know if the prisoner was hit by any of these shots. The last time we saw him, he was running through a cow pasture west of Centerville.”
Police and other detainees were assessed and no one suffered any life-threatening injuries, he said.
The Centerville school district came under “cautious blockade” after the escape.
Elementary students were temporarily held in the gym, and high school students in their library before they were allowed to go home, according to statements posted on Facebook.
Both schools will be closed on Friday due to “the ongoing situation west of I45 and Hwy 7,” the school district said.
In an earlier briefing, Hearst urged the public not to try to arrest Lopez.
“I don’t have to deal with this person to some extent. I would strongly encourage anyone in society to lock their vehicles, to lock their doors. We don’t know if he got a weapon,” Hearst said.
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