TJ Lane, Convicted School Shooter, Recaptured After Escape From Ohio Prison With Fellow Inmates

Update as of 2:40 a.m. EDT: A 19-year-old convicted school shooter, who escaped from a northwestern Ohio prison Thursday, has been taken back into custody, officials said Friday.

An Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections spokeswoman said that T.J. Lane, who had escaped with two other inmates, one of whom was immediately captured, was apprehended by Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers at 1:20 a.m. Friday, the Associated Press reported.

A convicted school shooter escaped from prison in Ohio on Thursday night, according to law enforcement officials. Thomas Michael Lane III (T.J. Lane) reportedly escaped with another inmate from the Allen County Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio, where he is serving three life sentences for killing three and wounding another three when he opened fire in an Ohio high school two years ago.

Lane reportedly escaped with 45-year-old Clifford E. Opperud, who is serving a 12-year sentence for aggravated robbery, burglary and kidnapping.

The Lima Police Department said they were currently searching the area and issued a statement on Facebook urging all residents to stay inside and keep windows and doors locked.

“Do not open your doors for strangers. Do not pick up hitch hikers. Call LPD if you see anything suspicious. Officers are currently searching the neighborhoods in the vicinity of the north end of town. You will see law enforcement in your neighborhood. PLEASE do not tweet or post the locations of our officers.”

When appearing in court last year for his sentencing trial, Lane showed no remorse for his victims’ families and reportedly made crude gestures in their direction while they read their statements.

Underneath his dress shirt, which he removed once inside the courtroom, he wore a white T-shirt with the word "killer" written across it in pen. The County Sherriff said he made the T-shirt while in prison.

After the hearing, the court issued a statement that said: “However disgusting it may be, the defendant has a right to make a statement at sentencing.”

The International Business Times will report updates on the prisoners’ whereabouts as they become available.