Bruce McLaughlin Jr., 30, was shot dead Tuesday morning after he escaped from Pickens County jail in South Carolina and broke into a woman's home

An inmate who escaped from a South Carolina prison was shot and killed just minutes later by a woman after he kicked in the backdoor to her home.

Bruce McLaughlin Jr., 30, escaped from Pickens County jail near Greenville at about 3am on Tuesday.

The inmate was still in his orange prison jumpsuit when he kicked in the woman's door and grabbed a knife sharpening tool from her kitchen in Pickens.

Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said he was heading towards the woman's bedroom when she opened fire.

'This was a big guy. If she hadn't had a weapon there's no telling what would have happened,' Clark said.

'I gave her a big hug. I told her how proud I was of her.'

The woman was home alone and had gone through training to get a concealed weapons permit.

Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley said McLaughlin died from a gunshot wound to the head.

McLaughlin and a second inmate, Timothy Dill, beat up two guards at Pickens County jail (pictured above) in an escape they had planned for days

McLaughlin and a second inmate, Timothy Dill, beat up two guards in an escape they had planned for days.

The sheriff said Dill was recaptured by deputies without incident about the same time McLaughlin was shot, but the two were going in opposite directions.

Timothy Dill (pictured) was recaptured by deputies without incident about the same time McLaughlin was shot, but the two were going in opposite directions

The guards had bruises and one complained of a sore back, but they should recover, Clark said, adding that several other inmates came to help the guards as they were attacked.

McLaughlin had been in and out of the Pickens County jail about a dozen times on charges ranging from drug possession to assaulting a police officer to shoplifting.

He was currently awaiting trial on first-degree burglary and grand larceny charges, according to sheriff's office records.

Dill was awaiting trial on a criminal sexual conduct with a minor charge.

The sheriff said the homeowner was shaken by the shooting and asked him to help her maintain her privacy.

He did not release her name.

Clark said he thinks the shooting is justified, but will forward the case file to prosecutors once the investigation is finished.

The sheriff said 'this is the shining example' of why owning and knowing how to use a gun is important.

'She came out on the good on this end and the other guy, the bad guy, didn't,' Clark said.