An escaped federal inmate has been recaptured by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office after killing a detention officer with his own gun on Monday and fleeing in a stolen vehicle.
The 48-year-old detainee, who was identified as Kelvin Simmons, had been brought to a Murphy orthopedic office for unspecified treatment when a fight broke out. According to the Associated Press and Fox Carolina, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith stated at a press conference that the inmate stole the officer’s firearm and shot him.
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The inmate then raced into the parking lot, jumped into a newly arrived vehicle, and drove away.
Deputies said that at 2:30 p.m., they received word from Clay County Emergency Services that the Highway Patrol was en route to Macon County to pursue the fugitive. The individual was categorized as armed and dangerous.
The car on Highway 64 West was fortunately disabled by the cooperation of law enforcement agencies throughout Macon County, according to officials. Before the suspect was captured, law enforcement and the suspect engaged in a brief standoff.
According to officials, there were no significant injuries at the scene.
According to Sheriff Smith, Simmons will face first-degree murder charges, with additional charges expected.
The detaining officer who lost his life was eventually identified as Francisco Paul Flattes, 56, a four-year Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office employee. According to Smith, Flattes’ wife works at the county detention center.
According to the sheriff, another officer sustained injuries unrelated to the shooting and is recovering.
“This has been probably one of the worst days of my career,” Smith stated.
Simmons was already being detained on allegations of bank robbery and an escape in October 2024, according to Smith.
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