Escaped Texas Inmate Killed In Shootout After 5 Found Dead: Police

LEON COUNTY, TX — Law enforcement found and killed an escaped Texas inmate in an exchange of gunfire late Thursday after police believe he killed five people in a Leon County home, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Gonzalo Lopez, who was serving a life sentence on a capital murder conviction out of Hidalgo County and attempted capital murder conviction out of Webb County, escaped a prison bus on May 12 on Highway 7 in Leon County near Centerville.

On Thursday evening, law enforcement found one adult and four children dead in a home in the area after a family member requested a welfare check. Authorities believe Lopez broke into the house and committed the murders, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

A white 1999 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen from the home. It was believed Lopez was armed and driving the stolen truck, authorities said.

Law enforcement in Atascosa County, around 250 miles away, found the stolen truck and disabled it with spike strips. Lopez, who had an AR-15 style firearm and a pistol, was shot and killed by authorities in an exchange of gunfire in Jourdanton before 10:30 p.m., according to police. Authorities were not harmed in the shootout.

The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office received a tip from the U.S. Marshals Service that Lopez could be in the San Antonio area, which helped authorities locate and confront him, Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward said at a news conference Thursday night.

A reward of $50,000 was being offered for information leading to Lopez's capture. He escaped while being transported from Gatesville to Huntsville for a medical appointment, authorities said.