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2 Inmates Kill Georgia Guards and Escape From Prison Bus, Officials Say 2 Inmates Kill Georgia Guards and Escape From Prison Bus, Officials Say
(about 2 hours later)
A statewide manhunt is underway in Georgia for two armed prison inmates who the authorities say escaped from a prison bus on Tuesday morning after they disarmed and fatally shot two corrections officers on the bus. A nationwide manhunt was underway on Tuesday night for two armed prison inmates who the authorities say escaped from a prison bus early that morning in Georgia after disarming and fatally shooting two corrections officers on the bus.
The Georgia Department of Corrections asked the public to be vigilant, but warned against approaching the inmates, Donnie Russell Rowe and Ricky Dubose. Officials said the inmates may have carjacked a 2004 green Honda Civic with a Georgia license plate after their escape. The Georgia Department of Corrections asked the public to be vigilant but warned against approaching the inmates, Donnie Russell Rowe and Ricky Dubose. Officials said the inmates had carjacked a green 2004 Honda Civic with a Georgia license plate after their escape.
“Today, two families lost everything in a heinous and senseless act of violence perpetrated at the hands of cowards,” Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia said in a statement. “Our heartbreak is matched only in our resolve to bring their murderers to justice. No effort will be spared in pursuit of the killers, and no state resources required in this endeavor will be spared.”“Today, two families lost everything in a heinous and senseless act of violence perpetrated at the hands of cowards,” Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia said in a statement. “Our heartbreak is matched only in our resolve to bring their murderers to justice. No effort will be spared in pursuit of the killers, and no state resources required in this endeavor will be spared.”
Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dubose were being transported between Hancock State Prison and Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison — about 50 miles southeast of Atlanta — when they escaped from custody early Tuesday morning, the authorities said in a statement. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dubose were being transported from Hancock State Prison west on Highway 16 toward Eatonton — about 75 miles east of Atlanta — when they escaped from custody around 6:45 a.m., Sheriff Howard R. Sills of Putnam County said at a news conference.
Officials said the inmates succeeded in “overpowering” the two Baldwin State Prison transfer sergeants who were driving a state prison transport bus, holding a total of 33 inmates. The sheriff said the two prisoners had gotten out of the caged back area “somehow” and moved into the driver’s compartment, where they “overpowered” the guards and took their 9-millimeter pistols. They then killed the officers on the bus, though Sheriff Sills said he had heard conflicting reports on who pulled the trigger.
The two inmates managed to disarm the officers, Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue, and then shot and killed them both, the authorities said. “They are dangerous beyond description,” he said. “This is a secure bus. How they got through the locks and things up to that area, I do not know.”
“If you see these fugitives,” they cautioned, “call 911 and do not approach.” The bus was holding 33 inmates, some of whom assisted investigators, the sheriff said.
Mr. Rowe and Mr. Dubose, both convicted armed robbers, are serving prison terms of life without parole and 20 years, respectively, the Department of Corrections said. Both had been housed at Baldwin State Prison in Milledgeville, Ga. The Georgia Department of Corrections commissioner, Gregory C. Dozier, said that it was standard protocol to have only two officers on the bus, and that the prisoners would not have known in advance that they were set to be transported Tuesday.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office as well as several local, state and federal agencies are assisting in the investigation, Governor Deal said in his statement. About a dozen law enforcement agencies are involved in the manhunt, he added. “We have secure vehicles,” Mr. Dozier said. “That should not have happened.”
The Department of Corrections identified the deceased officers as Christopher Monica, 42, and Curtis Billue, 58. Mr. Monica and Mr. Billue began their careers with the Department of Corrections in 2009 and 2007, respectively, and both were eventually promoted to sergeant. Mr. Rowe, 43, and Mr. Dubose, 24, both convicted of armed robbery, are serving prison terms of life without parole and 20 years, respectively, the Department of Corrections said. Both had been housed at Baldwin State Prison in Milledgeville, Ga. One of them was a gang member, Mr. Dozier said, declining to say which one.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of two of our officers, who are our family,” Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Gregory C. Dozier said. “Our priority is to locate these fugitives and bring them to justice for this heinous act against those working to protect the public.” The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and several local, state and federal agencies are assisting in the investigation, Governor Deal said in his statement. About a dozen law enforcement agencies are involved in the manhunt, he added.
By Tuesday evening, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was offering a $60,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the two men.
The Department of Corrections identified the deceased officers as Christopher Monica, 42, and Curtis Billue, 58. Mr. Monica began his career with the Department of Corrections in 2009 and Mr. Billue in 2007, and both were eventually promoted to sergeant.
“I had their blood on my shoes,” Sheriff Sills said of the victims. Speaking of the escapees, he added, “I would suggest they surrender before we find them.”