Hunt For Escaped Inmate Called Off in Mississippi

 

inmate

After escaping the Warren County Jail eight days ago, the hunt for Raphael McCloud, 34 has been called off.

McCloud was in jail awaiting trial on capital murder and other charges stemming from the June 28 abduction and death of Sharen Wilson. He escaped from jail after dinner on March 2, 2016 by using a shank to assault one of three guards on duty.

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What heroic law enforcement officer in Vicksburg, Mississippi brought this violent criminal back to justice?

A local homeowner and his wife.

“This is certainly not how we wanted this to end,” said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace. “Our goal was to take him back into custody and have him stand before a jury in Warren County. But he brought this upon himself.”

McCloud broke into a home in the 600 block of Fort Hill Drive about 4 a.m. Thursday. After trying to hold the homeowners hostage, a fight broke out between McCloud and the homeowner and his wife until the homeowner found his gun and shot McCloud dead in their bathtub.

The husband was treated for a non-life threatening stab wound and is recovering at a local hospital and the wife, while hit in the head during the altercation, did not need medical attention.

“We are incredibly relieved this family was not seriously injured and they were able to protect themselves this morning,” Pace said. “It’s been a long week for this community and we appreciate the cooperation of the public as we have pursued this community.”

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“He had on tennis shoes; nice, white tennis shoes and a pair of blue jeans, so there is some indication someone has been helping him or he stole those items,” Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong said. “But the shoes looked to be the exact size he wears.”

The Chief says this shows McCloud had help along the way after his breakout from jail. According to court records, McCloud, who had been in the Warren County Jail since his arrest June 29, was indicted in January on multiple counts involving Wilson’s death, also has prior felony convictions for auto burglary, grand larceny and armed robbery.

 

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