Convicted murderer Danny Martin Gallegos is receiving treatment at the University Hospital after a police officer shot him in Wyoming after his escape from jail.
Gallegos, along with Juan Diaz-Arevalo, escaped from the Daggett County Jail on Sept. 23. Officers caught up with the fugitives near Rock Springs, Wyo., on Sept. 29.
After hiding in the woods for days, the two broke into the home of 79-year-old Bill Johnson. The two held him at knifepoint and restrained him with duct tape. Gallegos and Diaz-Arevalo then fled in Johnson’s Ford Explorer, which had three firearms inside, police said.
Johnson managed to free himself from the duct tape and ran to a nearby road to flag down passing motorists. A 911 call was made and officers closed in on the escapees. Officers spotted the stolen vehicle minutes after the call, and a high-speed chase ensued. Officers placed spike strips on the road to destroy the vehicle’s tires.
When the vehicle came to a stop, both convicts jumped out, police said. Officers tackled Diaz-Arevalo after he ran about 100 yards. Gallegos was shot when police feared he might fire at them, police said.
Gallegos was flown in critical condition from a hospital in Rock Springs to the U Hospital early Sunday morning.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.