An escaped murderer, who police believe may have killed an adult and four children during a manhunt, has been shot dead after his car was stopped.
Spike strips were used to bring the car to a halt and in resulting gunfire Gonzalo Lopez was confirmed deceased by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Four children and an adult were found dead close to where escaped convict Lopez was last seen, Texas police had earlier reported, and they added that they believed he could be connected with their deaths.
The TDCJ said they went to the home in Leon County where the five dead were discovered, after receiving a call from someone worried for the well-being of their elderly relative.
A white Chevrolet Silverado was also found missing from the home and that stolen car was stopped by police with Lopez inside.
A TDCJ statement read: "Law enforcement in Atascosa County located the stolen vehicle, disabled it with spike strips, and gunfire ensued.
"At approximately 22:30, the TDCJ received information that Lopez had been shot by law enforcement in Jourdanton, Texas, South of San Antonio. Lopez has been confirmed deceased, and no law enforcement officers were reported to be harmed during the exchange."
Lopez, 46, a convicted murderer had fled police custody on May 12 after stabbing a TDCJ correctional officer.
He was on his way with other prisoners to Huntsville for a medical appointment when he attacked the driver of the bus and made his getaway.
Following the discovery of the five victims at their home a TDCJ Facebook post stated : "While investigating leads inside the search perimeter, law enforcement agencies received a call from an individual who had become concerned after not hearing from an elderly relative.
"Law enforcement officers responded to the residence and discovered the bodies of two adults and three children.
"A 1999 white Chevrolet Silverado, license plate DPV4520, was missing from the residence. It is believed that escaped inmate, Gonzalo Lopez, may be driving the vehicle and may be armed."
It later stated that the victims were one adult and four children.
Police had released photos of Lopez who has distinctive tattoos, while a reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to his capture.
The escaped convict was serving a life sentence for murder in Hidalgo County and attempted murder in Webb County.
"He's crafty," Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Robert Hurst said . "He's done this before down in South Texas in Webb County, he hid out for almost nine days."
Lopez was somehow able to free himself from hand and leg restraints, then cut through the metal of the cage in which the prisoners were being transported, said the police department in his latest escape.
He attacked the driver who suffered stab wounds to the hand and chest, but his condition was not believed to be life threatening, said the department’s chief of staff Jason Clark.
Lopez then drove off in the bus but a second prison officer was able to fire at it and burst a tyre. It forcing the bus off the road and escaped murderer was last seen running away into woods.
