Richard Matt has been shot and seriously wounded by law enforcement, knowledgeable law-enforcement sources tell The Daily Beast. The New York Times, citing two law-enforcement sources, reports Matt is dead. CNN reports police are "now in pursuit" of fellow escapee and convicted murderer David Sweat.
One of the two escaped murderers, Matt was shot in the vicinity of Lake Titus, New York—an area that has been intensely searched by authorities in recent days. Lake Titus is approximately 10 miles west of Owl's Head, where police said the had found evidence that Matt and Sweat had broken into a cabin.
A trail camera in Whippleville took a photo of the two men earlier this week, according to law-enforcement officials. Authorities had asked hunters to deploy the cameras now instead of waiting until August, ahead of deer-hunting season that begins on October 1. The camera captured both men, showing Matt holding a shotgun. Trail cameras are silent and triggered by motion. It’s believed that the camera photographed the men without them knowing.
Matt—who was serving 25 years to life for killing and dismembering his former boss—reportedly charmed prison guards with portraits of celebrities (like Oprah) and was supposedly a ladies' man.
Sweat and Matt broke out of prison with tools allegedly provided by worker Joyce Mitchell via corrections officer Gene Palmer. The tools were reportedly hidden in frozen meat.
