Lima prison officials hold press conference shortly after Chardon Schools 2 a.m. press conference
Chardon Schools officials announce school is closed Friday; counseling available as needed ...
Thomas “T.J.” Lane III — the student convicted of killing three of his classmates at Chardon High School in 2012 and wounding three others — was captured at 1:20 a.m. Friday near a farmhouse after escaping prison Thursday night, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Lima prison officials.
Lane and two other inmates escaped from the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio around 7:40 p.m. One inmate, Lindsey Bruce, was taken back into custody shortly after, while Lane and Clifford E. Opperud, 45, had remained at large.
As of 2:50 a.m. Friday, Opperud was still on the loose, however, officials confirmed he was captured at 4:22 a.m. and taken into custody without incident.
A law enforcement official told the Maple Leaf Lane and the other two inmates used a makeshift wooden ladder to climb a 10-foot-high barbed wire fence onto a flat roof building. They ran across the roof and jumped off the other side to their freedom.
During Lima press conference, officials said the inmates escaped during prison recreation time and had scaled a fence 100 feet from the main perimeter fence.
The several-hour manhunt spurred Chardon Schools adminstrators and Geauga County law enforcement to jump to action immediately, making sure all shooting victims’ families were safe. A law enforcement source also told the Maple Leaf officers were guarding the homes of county Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell, Common Please Court Judge David Fuhry and former county Prosecutor David Joyce.
Lane, who will turn 20 on Sept. 19, was admitted to the medium-security prison on April 20, 2013, after being convicted of three counts of aggravated murder and one count each of attempted aggravated murder and a felonious assault.
On Feb. 27, 2012, Lane had opened fire in the Chardon High School cafeteria, killing fellow students Demetrius Hewlin, 16, Russell King Jr., 17, and Danny Parmertor,16, as well as injuring Nick Walzcak, 18, Joy Rickers, 20, and Nate Mueller, 18.
He is currently serving three life sentences without parole.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Demetrius, Russell and Danny and all others affected by the tragedy,” Superintendent Michael Hanlon said in a statement prior to closing school Friday. “The safety and well-being of all students, staff and community remain our highest priority. District officials are taking steps to ensure that counseling and support services are available during the day on Friday for those that may require assistance.
School officials and law enforcement held a 2 a.m. press conference at the Chardon Schools Board of Education office. Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus said his department was alerted about Lane’s escape immediately and that a manhunt had been initiated in Lima.
“I was immediately in contact with Hanlon and … key members of his staff to ensure the ongoing safety of our schools,” he said, adding the police department will maintain a strong physical presence at the schools to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
Geauga County Sheriff Chief Deputy Scott Hildenbrand said when their office was notified about Lane’s escape, they promptly contacted the shooting victims’ families, the school officials and local law enforcement, and “worked quickly to ensure the safety of county residents.”
“We are very happy with the outcome, the apprehension of T.J. Lane,” he said.
Hanlon then spoke, emphasizing that while Lane is back in custody, his escape has “profoundly and deeply” impacted the schools and community.
“I wish to extend our sincere appreciation to all levels of law enforcement across Ohio for their swift action, strong communication and providing our district with a positive outcome,” he said, adding he extended his thought and prayers to victims of the shooting, their families and all those affected by the Feb. 27, 2012 tragedy.
“The last several house have certainly been very difficult as we had come to grips with this situation,” he said, adding the wellbeing of students and staff remain the highest priority of the school district and urged people to reach out for help Friday if they need counseling, support or just to talk to someone.
He and high school Principal Andy Fetchik said counseling services will be offered at the high school and middle school throughout the day for anyone in need. Hanlon added he was reminded how truly strong and resilient Chardon Schools and the community are.
Lima prison officials held a press conference shortly after Chardon.
They confirmed the first inmate was caught near a church shortly after the escape and said Lane was captured about 100 yards from the institution at 1:20 a.m.
While some reports said Lane had been armed with a pitchfork at the time of his apprehension, the prison warden and OSHP did not confirm that information, indicating an ongoing investigation would prohibit them from giving out more details at this time.
Officials said Lane was taken into custody “without incident” and did not make any comment as he was apprehended.
OSHP Capt. Gary Allen said between all the law enforcement agencies involved, they were able to “shut the perimeter down real quick,” so Lane was unable to get out any farther than he did.
The manhunt included deploying a helicopter that used advanced infrared detection equipment, officials previously said.
“It was just a huge collaborative effort of multiple agencies,” Allen said.
The prison warden, Kevin Jones, said he was “obviously” not happy with what happened, adding “no warden in my position would ever want something like this to happen.”
Among the tragic shooting, Lane is remembered for smirking and unveiling a white T-shirt with the word “KILLER” written on it after his sentencing and turning to the shooting victims’ families, saying obscenities to them before flipping them off and saying, “F*#$ all of you.”
The Manhunt Timeline
At around 10:30 p.m., Lima Police Department Sgt. Andrew Green told the Geauga County Maple Leaf “there are several neighborhoods immediately surrounding the prison as well as wooded areas and open fields that officers are searching.”
Lima police were working in conjunction with the Allen County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the sergeant added.
“There’s three tactical units that have been activated also … three separate SWAT teams, one from our department, one from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office and one from the state patrol,” he had said.
According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Opperud, who is originally from Carlisle, Ohio, was admitted in June of 2008, convicted of first-degree aggravated of robbery; first-degree aggravated burglary; and second-degree kidnapping of a child; all in Warren County.
A law enforcement source told the Maple Leaf that, according to prison officials, Lane had not been acting out of the ordinary in the days leading up to the prison break.
Green also said residents have been notified to stay in their homes, not answer any doors and not pick up any hitchhikers.
The Ohio Department of Correction and Rehabilitation released the following statement late Thursday night:
“The Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution has confirmed that Inmates Thomas Lane III, #A640654 and Clifford Opperud, #A579262 escaped from the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution at approximately 7:40 p.m.,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director John Born. “Officials at the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) are working closely with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement leaders to manage an extensive manhunt to apprehend the inmates.
“All available troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol have been joined by Allen County sheriff’s deputies and local area law enforcement in establishing a perimeter and searching the area. A patrol helicopter with advanced infrared detection equipment has been deployed and is engaged in the search as well. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious persons or possible sightings by calling 911,” Born said.
At about 1:20 a.m., Lane was found reportedly hiding in a farmhouse or barn in a rural area, reported Mike Vielhaber, a WEWS videographer who first reported via Twitter Lane was captured.
Officials said he was taken into custody without incident.
