BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A South Texas sheriff says department policy was not followed when an inmate being transported to a medical appointment overpowered his guard, escaped and killed a man.
Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio said during a news conference Friday that two guards are supposed to transport an inmate but only one was available Thursday to take 38-year-old Miguel Garcia to his appointment.
Garcia had a weapon with him in the sheriff's vehicle. In Brownsville, near the Mexico border, Garcia slashed the guard, took his handgun and fled the car.
He entered a nearby home and fatally shot 56-year-old Mario Martinez in front of his wife.
Garcia took their car and was chased by law enforcement. Garcia later died in an exchange of gunfire.
The guard was hospitalized Friday in stable condition.
