Nation & World News

5 things to know about the capture of escaped inmate David Sweat

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
June 29, 2015

David Sweat, the second inmate who made a daring escape recently from a maximum-security prison in New York, was shot Sunday afternoon and is now in custody, news outlets reported
Here's what we know so far: 

1. Sweat was shot by a trooper near Constable, New York. He reportedly was walking on the side of the road Sunday near Constable, just north of Malone, where fellow escapee Richard Matt was fatally shot Friday. Sweat was spotted by a state police officer who recognized him. The fugitive made off toward a tree line when Sgt. Jay Cook fired at him, hitting him twice, according to the Associated Press.

Sweat reportedly was unarmed.

>> RELATED: 2nd escaped inmate David Sweat shot by trooper in upstate New York

2. Sweat is being treated at an Albany hospital. He is in critical condition.
>> RELATED: PHOTOS: 2nd escaped killer shot, captured in NY 
3. The capture ends a 23-day search. More than 1,300 law enforcement agents, trained search dogs and helicopter teams worked to track down Sweat, 35, and Matt, 49. The two convicted murderers cut steam pipes with power tools to escape from Clinton Correctional Facility late June 5 or early June 6. Officials discovered the men missing the morning of June 6.

According to the AP, two prison workers, Joyce Mitchell and Gene Palmer, have been charged with helping Matt and Sweat escape. Palmer reportedly gave the prisoners frozen meat in which Mitchell had hidden power tools. Mitchell has pleaded not guilty several charges, including felony promoting prison contraband. Palmer also plans to plead not guilty, his attorney said.

>> PREVIOUS STORY: Escaped inmate Richard Matt shot dead; David Sweat at large

4. The fugitives possibly used black pepper to hide their scent. Authorities found pepper shakers with Sweat's DNA at a camp where the men likely stayed, the AP reports.

>> Read more trending stories

5. Sweat will be charged with escape, burglary and other counts. When he escaped, he was serving a life sentence without parole for killing a sheriff's deputy in 2002. Matt was serving 25 years to life for the 1997 kidnapping, dismembering and killing of his former boss. 

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

About the Author

Cox Media Group National Content Desk

More Stories