The Texas penal system is taking steps in curbing escapes by suspending inmate bus transports, according to KHOU 11 in Houston. This move is so that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice can look into its procedures, find holes, mix them, and just strengthen the whole process of bus transport. That isn’t to say that there is a trend of inmate bus escapes in Texas—however, there have been a few escapes this year so far—however, some incidents are large enough to change procedures. In this case, it’s the escape of and manhunt for Gonzalo Lopez.
The Escape and Manhunt Involving Gonzalo Lopez Has Prompted Texas to Cancel Inmate Bus Transports
Gonzalo Lopez was said to be a member of the Mexican Mafia, a prison gang with strong numbers on the west coast, southwest, and midsouth regions of the U.S. Not only that, he had escaped once before and was on the run for nine days.
He was serving back-to-back life sentences when he was put on a prison bus for a medical check on May 12, 2022. On the bus were 17 inmates—including Lopez. The 46-year-old fugitive managed to get out of his restraints, take over the bus, and crashed it.
From there, he fled the scene and was caught on video by a bystander when he was fleeing into the woods. Anyone who has watched the Investigation Discovery classic show I (Almost) Got Away with It will know that wooded areas and water are the go-to spots for escapees.
On June 3, 2022, Gonzalo Lopez would have been on the run for three weeks. Earlier that day, he came across a cabin in Centerville, Texas and would murder a grandfather and his four grandsons. The vehicle he was spotted in that day was taken from that cabin.
During a brief pursuit, Atascosa County deputies would spike strip Lopez’s stolen truck, resulting in the fugitive crashing into a tree. Following a gunfight, Lopez was gunned down and found to be in possession of a rifle and handgun.
This incident is enough to shut things down for a period and improve them. Of the inmate transport halt, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said:
“If it becomes necessary to do a transport such as releasing (an inmate) or an emergency medical appointment, additional security measures will be implemented. The agency is conducting an internal Serious Incident Review and also intends to bring in an outside firm to conduct an independent review.”
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