TJ Lane caught hours after escaping Ohio jail

TJ Lane, who shot dead three students Chardon High School cafeteria in February 2012, is back in police custody after escaping from an Ohio prison on Thursday, September 11.

TJ Lane, 19, was recaptured early on Friday. Lima police tweeted: “We got him… one more to go.”

The teenager is serving three life sentences after pleading guilty to the murders in Chardon High School.

Two other inmates escaped in the same incident, and one – convicted robber Clifford Opperud – is still at large.

Details of how the men escaped from the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution have not been released, but local media reported they scaled a fence during a recreation break sometime before 20:00 local time.

At around 02:00 local time the Lima Police Department confirmed that: “Thomas Michael <<TJ>> Lane III is in custody. He has been returned to the prison.”

TJ Lane was armed with a pitchfork when he was recaptured, unconfirmed reports quoting police said.

The escaped prisoner still at large, 45-year-old Clifford Opperud, was serving a sentence for aggravated robbery, burglary and kidnapping, police said.

A third inmate briefly escaped before being recaptured, police spokesman Andy Green said.

TJ Lane pleaded guilty last year to three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault.

He used a .22-calibre pistol to fire 10 shots at a group of students in Chardon High School’s cafeteria, killing Demetrius Hewlin, 16, and Russell King, 17, as well as Daniel Parmertor.

Three others were wounded in the attack, which took place when TJ Lane was 17.

Despite evidence he suffered psychosis and hallucinations, TJ Lane was found competent to be tried as an adult.

During his trial, TJ Lane smirked and smiled as victims’ relatives spoke. During his sentencing he wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” written on it.