|
Seven Texan escapees still By Ram Luthra TCU Police, like other law enforcement agencies across the state, are continuing a cautious and careful approach in light of recent reported sightings of the seven Texas prison escapees, Kelly Ham, TCU detective of criminal investigations, said. The seven men face capital murder charges in the shooting death of Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins and robbery of a sporting goods store on Christmas Eve. Hawkins was ambushed, shot 11 times and run over as the inmates fled from the Irving Oshman’s Super Sports USA store, authorities said. The seven men escaped from a Connally Prison Unit near Kenedy on Dec. 13. The main objective is to provide safety for our officers and students, Ham said. TCU police has briefed all its officers on certain procedures if anything suspicious occurs on campus. All officers have been given pictures and descriptions of the seven escapees, Ham, detective of criminal investigations, said. “All patrol officers have been advised to be aware and extremely cautious,” Ham said. A report released last week by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said the seven convicts overpowered guards and staff over 2 1/2 hours before they drove away in a stolen prison vehicle. The prisoners began the breakout armed only with a small flathead screwdriver, an 11-inch iron rod and a 12-inch handmade knife blade, the report said. But by the time they fled the maximum-security prison in a stolen vehicle, they were heavily armed with 14 pistols, a rifle, a shotgun and more than 200 rounds of ammunition. According to television news reports, inmates were able to take 11 employees and three prisoners hostage in a maintenance storage room, binding them with duct tape and plastic ties and threatening them with homemade weapons. They also left a note warning: “You haven’t heard the last of us.” Reports suggest the escapees are moving further away from the Fort Worth area, and some people on the TCU campus are becoming less concerned. Ham said students and faculty should not panic, and the campus will continue to be safe. “Realistically, I don’t think there is any immediate threat to students and faculty here at TCU,” Ham said. Despite the TCU police’s sense of control of the situation, many people around campus are still concerned. Nicki Hamilton, an administrative assistant for the athletic department, said the TCU police should take a more active stance to keep faculty and students aware. She said the police should post fliers and messages around campus. “I am very cautious ever since the incident,” Hamilton said. “I listen to everything around the house. When I hear any type of knock or tap I am quicker to react to it.” Andrea Cook, a freshman nursing major, said she is not terrified, but still worries. She said she hopes the convicts will not come on campus, but there is nothing that can be done to stop them as long as they are on the run. “I just try to stay calm and aware,” Cook said. “But I do think that extra precaution should be taken for the safety of the students.” Fort Worth police authorities have been responsive to all tips and calls. Numerous amounts of tips have been made each day, police authorities said. No tips or reports have been made to the TCU police, Ham said. Boosting the reward for their arrests to $440,000 has produced more leads — and more unconfirmed sightings in the fifth week of searching. Because of the nature of the escape, the search has been expanded nationally. The FOX network's “America’s Most Wanted” has aired two nationwide television segments on the escaped inmates. Ram Luthra |