International Courant
After almost two and a half months of looking, brokers tracked down fugitive Joshua Zimmerman, who has been on the run since escaping from the DeSoto County Courthouse in Mississippi on June 14.
America Marshals Service discovered Zimmerman barricaded himself in a Chicago restaurant on Tuesday, authorities mentioned. The standoff continued late Tuesday night time, with the restaurant surrounded by Chicago’s SWAT staff.
The investigation into Zimmerman’s escape has been in depth, with contributions from federal, state and native companies.
“We’ve got labored diligently for 68 days, together with a number of organizations, to carry this case to an in depth,” a DeSoto County spokesperson famous. “We recognize the general public’s endurance as we now have deliberately saved particulars confidential to stop misinformation from spreading.”
Officers mentioned they’re nonetheless centered on the extradition plans and hope for a decision quickly.
“We wish to return Zimmerman to our detention heart so we are able to totally examine the circumstances surrounding his escape,” the spokesperson mentioned.
The high-profile case has obtained an excessive amount of media consideration, with main networks and public figures akin to Canine the Bounty Hunter intently following developments. The spokesman acknowledged the widespread curiosity within the case, saying: “It is a important occasion and we’re decided to carry it to a profitable conclusion.”
Zimmerman was charged in Houston, Texas, in 2023 with the homicide of a lady. He was arrested by police in Mississippi on September 29, 2023, on separate felony costs, Houston-based ABC Information station KTRK reported final 12 months.
The extra costs embody tried homicide, armed theft, weapons possession and a cost associated to theft of an car.
Zimmerman escaped from jail whereas being taken to the De Soto County Courthouse with a number of different inmates for a listening to.
De Soto County District Lawyer Matthew Barton defined that Zimmerman was capable of break free from the group, change his garments and take away his handcuffs. Surveillance cameras captured Zimmerman leaving the courthouse sporting khaki pants and a white shirt.
ABC Information’ Ben Stein contributed to this report
