AMARILLO, Texas, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- A convicted killer who climbed the fence of a prison near Amarillo, Texas, was on the loose for less than eight hours before he was recaptured, officials said.

Marvin Garcia, 34, was arrested at about 11 a.m. a few miles from the prison. Police said they got a report of a man walking along the railroad tracks and a state trooper, riding with a private pilot who had volunteered for the search, then saw Garcia from the air.


Investigators said Garcia climbed the fence shortly before 4 a.m., A corrections officer who spotted him fired six shots at him.

Garcia, an immigrant from El Salvador, was sentenced to 25 years for a killing in the Houston area. He could end up serving more time if he is convicted of escape.

The Neal Unit in Amarillo houses almost 1,800 inmates. Officials said Garcia may have made his escape while walking to his job in the cafeteria before 4 a.m.