Following an intense manhunt, authorities apprehended a murder suspect who escaped from a California hospital just a day earlier. Eric Abril, 35, accused of shooting a California Highway Patrol officer and two hostages in April, had been charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping, and attempted murder of a peace officer. He was being held without bail.
Abril's escape from Sutter Roseville Medical Center occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday while in custody. The reasons for his hospitalization remain undisclosed. The Placer County Sheriff's Office confirmed Abril's recapture around 12:20 p.m. on Monday, releasing an image of him handcuffed and in boxer shorts.
He was discovered hiding in a greenbelt area in Rocklin, still wearing his belly chains and jail-issued boxers. Law enforcement expressed gratitude to all agencies involved in the successful manhunt.
The April incident that led to Abril's arrest involved a warrant being served at a Roseville park. Abril opened fire on officers, injuring one, and subsequently took two hostages. Tragically, one hostage was killed, while the other survived. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Abril's escape, as he was under 24-hour surveillance at the hospital but managed to flee down a staircase. The Placer County Sheriff's Office has initiated a comprehensive review of inmate transport, supervision, and security procedures.
A multi-agency effort involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, helicopters, police dogs, drones, and armored vehicles was instrumental in locating and apprehending Abril.
