One of the people charged with murdering a Georgia Lottery winner has escaped from a south Georgia prison, authorities say.
Earnest Anthony Holcomb, 28, got away from the Ben Hill County facility about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sheriff Bobby McLemore told Channel 2 Action News. Holcomb was in the exercise yard when he made it onto the roof and slipped out of his jumpsuit before running away.
Authorities still don’t know how Holcomb escaped, since there are 40 cameras in the area, McLemore said.
Holcomb and six others were charged in connection with the January shooting death of Craigory Burch, who won $434,000 in a Fantasy Five jackpot, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
Holcomb and others broke into Burch’s home in Fitzgerald, Ga., demanded cash and shot him to death, investigators said. Burch’s girlfriend said the victim pleaded with his killers not to shoot him in front of “my kids and old lady,” The AJC reported.
All the suspects were charged with malice murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, The AJC reported.
At least 30 deputies, U.S. marshals and officials from other agencies are involved in the search for Holcomb, McLemore said.
Holcomb is 5-foot-9 and weighs about 150 pounds, McLemore said. Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office or 911.
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