Escaped South Texas inmate shot, killed exchanging gunfire with DPS

Jake Childers escaped on Christmas Eve

CAMPBELLTON, Texas – Escaped convict Jake Childers was shot and killed by law enforcement Tuesday night.

Childers was killed after exchanging gunfire with members of the Texas Department of Public Safety SWAT Team just after 9:15 p.m. DPS said they encountered Childers and "gunfire was exchanged."

Law enforcement officers spent much of the day Tuesday searching for Childers in an area east of Campbellton near FM 791. 

Authorities had been looking for Childers since he escaped on Christmas Eve after he was able to get away from deputies on his way back to the Live Oak County Criminal Justice Center in George West. Searchers honed in on a 100-acre area outside Campbellton after someone reported seeing a person matching Childers' description in the area on Monday.

The small town is 50 miles south of San Antonio.

Childers was arrested last month in Austin, but sent to Live Oak County for outstanding warrants.

Live Oak County Sheriff Larry Busby also said Childers held a corrections officer hostage the day before his escape.

The investigation continues and will be conducted by the Texas Rangers.