California authorities have located a 35-year-old inmate accused of a series of violent crimes, after an audacious escape from a medical center. 

Eric Abril was initially arrested on April 6 after allegedly shooting and injuring a Highway Patrol officer at Roseville’s Mahany Park. He then proceeded to take a married couple hostage, resulting in the death of James MacEgan, 72, and injury to his wife, Patricia. Abril was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and other related offenses. He had been held without bail at Placer County jail.

Abril escaped from the Sutter Roseville Medical Center on Sunday, July 9. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the escape, revealing that Abril had eluded captivity on the medical center’s second floor, possibly by slipping out of his restraints and walking out of the hospital door.  The inmate had been under constant surveillance in the hospital, but only one deputy was guarding him. A deputy saw him in the parking lot but could not catch him. The reasons behind his presence at the hospital remain undisclosed. 

Abril was eventually found shirtless, barefoot and wearing only his prison boxer shorts, in dense brush by Antelope Creek ravine, behind the Edgewood Apartments on Monday, July 10.  

He was rebooked at the Placer County Jail after being medically cleared.

Investigations will continue into how he escaped custody and if any departmental procedures were not followed by the sole deputy charged with guarding him.