Crime

Escaped Inmate David Sweat Shot, Ending 3-Week Manhunt

New York prison escapee David Sweat has been shot and arrested, ending a three-week manhunt.

Escaped Inmate David Sweat Shot, Ending 3-Week Manhunt
New York State Police
SMS

David Sweat, the remaining convict in a pair who escaped from New York's largest prison three weeks ago, has reportedly been shot by police.

NBC reported Sunday afternoon Sweat is alive but wounded and was taken into custody near Constable, New York, a town close to the Canadian border.

The other escapee, Richard Matt, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents Friday after reportedly opening fire on the driver of a camper who then called 911.

After Matt's death, there were initial reports Sweat was cornered in the woods near Malone, New York, but that was later revealed to be false.

"There are several leads being tracked down as we speak about Mr. Sweat and his possible whereabouts, but we don't have anything to confirm where Mr. Sweat is at this time," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Friday during a press conference.

Sweat and Matt led authorities on a 22-day manhunt after engineering a dramatic escape from their neighboring prison cells.

Authorities say the pair used power tools to cut through prison walls and later emerge from a manhole just outside the prison.

Two former prison workers have been arrested for aiding in Sweat and Matt's escape.

Gene Palmer, who was a guard at the prison, admitted to providing tools to the prisoners, and Joyce Mitchell said she put hacksaw blades and drill bits into a hunk of frozen hamburger meat to help Matt and Sweat with their escape.

This video includes images from the New York State Police.