Inmate fatally shoots North Carolina officer before being caught in stolen vehicle, sheriff says

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Federal Inmate Shoots Officer During Escape in North Carolina, Captured Later"

Inmate fatally shoots North Carolina officer before being caught in stolen vehicle, sheriff says analysis cover image CNN 8.0
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Original Article Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/30/us/north-carolina-kelvin-simmons-inmate-escape
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TruthLens AI Summary

A federal inmate, identified as Kelvin Simmons, escaped from custody while receiving medical treatment at an orthopedics office in Murphy, North Carolina, and fatally shot a detention officer, Francisco Paul Flattes, using the officer's own firearm. The incident occurred on Monday when a scuffle broke out between Simmons and Flattes, during which Simmons managed to seize the weapon and shoot the officer. Following the shooting, Simmons fled the scene in a stolen vehicle that had just arrived in the parking lot. He was apprehended later in Macon County, approximately an hour away from the initial incident location, after a brief standoff with law enforcement. Simmons, who was already in custody on bank robbery charges and had a prior escape attempt in October 2024, is expected to face charges of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Flattes, a dedicated officer with four years of service at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

The tragic event has left the local law enforcement community in shock, with Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith expressing that it was one of the worst days of his career. He confirmed that Flattes was a 56-year-old officer who had dedicated his life to public service, and his wife also works at the county detention center. In addition to the fatal shooting of Flattes, another officer at the scene sustained injuries unrelated to the incident and is currently recovering. The swift response of emergency personnel in Clay County, who alerted Macon County deputies about Simmons' movements, played a crucial role in his capture. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the apprehension, marking a tense but ultimately controlled resolution to a dangerous situation.

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Source URL: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/30/us/north-carolina-kelvin-simmons-inmate-escape

A federal inmate escaped from custody at a medical clinic in western North Carolina and fatally shot a detention officer with his own gun Monday, then fled in a stolen vehicle before being captured in another county, a sheriff said.

The inmate had been taken to an orthopedics office in Murphy for undisclosed treatment when a scuffle began. The inmate took the officer’s weapon and shot him, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith said at a news conference. The inmate ran into the parking lot, jumped into a vehicle that had just arrived and took off. The inmate was later apprehended in Macon County, nearly an hour to the east, Smith said.

Smith said the inmate, Kelvin Simmons, 48, will be charged with first-degree murder.

The detention officer was identified as Francisco Paul Flattes, 56, a four-year employee of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Smith said Flattes’ wife also works for the county detention center.

Another officer suffered injuries unrelated to the shooting and was recovering, the sheriff said.

“This has been probably one of the worst days of my career,” Smith said.

Emergency personnel in Clay County had alerted Macon County deputies that the inmate was driving to their county on U.S. Route 64, authorities said. Simmons’ vehicle was stopped and he was detained after a short standoff. There were no injuries at the scene.

Smith said Simmons was already being held on bank robbery charges along with an October 2024 escape.

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Source: CNN