Today, the manhunt for an escaped murder suspect continues to intensify throughout the Sacramento region, Eric James Abril, the suspect involved in the April 2023 Mahany Park hostage incidents, is believed to have escaped from Sutter Roseville Medical Center where he was being held under guard, according to the Placerville Police Department. In April, a California Highway Patrol Officer and a couple were taken hostage at the park, resulting in one death and one wounded, reports NBC Bay Area.
Numerous resources from #PCSO, #Roseville PD, and other LE agencies are searching the greater east Roseville area for 35-year old inmate Eric Abril, who escaped from Sutter Roseville Medical Center early this morning. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF ABRIL IS SEEN. https://t.co/w5G1SfXYIV pic.twitter.com/cS7XyhApzG
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) July 9, 2023
Since Abril's escape on Sunday morning, local residents have been warned by law enforcement agencies to exercise extreme caution, as reported by NBC Bay Area. While the reason for Abril's confinement within the hospital remains undisclosed, authorities are investigating the matter, and are also focusing their efforts in locating the suspect, who is still at large amidst an extensive search operation that has employed over 200 law enforcement officers and various law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, per The Sacramento Bee.
Abril, a 35-year-old male with brown hair, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 175 pounds, was last seen on residential surveillance footage recorded in the early morning hours on Sunday in Rocklin, a city just over a mile north of the hospital, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. At the time, he was wearing orange jail pants and had no shirt, providing a clear view of his left shoulder tattoo, possibly depicting ocean waves and bamboo, as described by The Sacramento Bee.
Local law enforcement has been receiving various tips and reports from the public, claiming sightings of Abril within different areas of the region. Police are now going house to house in an effort to locate the murder suspect, with drones, K-9 officers, and tactical equipment being used to aid in the search, according to The Sacramento Bee. Fears of Abril's potential capture of more hostages continue to heighten among local residents and law enforcement officials alike.
Due to the escape event and the ongoing manhunt, the region witnesses an eerie atmosphere, with roads around Sutter Roseville Medical Center and parking lots deserted at times when normally they would be bustling. As the search progresses, multiple sightings of Abril have been reported throughout Roseville, Rocklin, and Granite Bay, although none have yet led to the suspect's apprehension, The Sacramento Bee mentions. Additionally, residents are being asked to inspect their security cameras for any evidence of Abril's recent movements.
An investigation into the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and measures taken during Abril's confinement at the hospital is currently being conducted, with the public eagerly awaiting an explanation regarding his escape. Meanwhile, a heavier emphasis has been placed on the apprehension of the suspect deemed as "very dangerous," with Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo stating that they "will not stop until Abril is back in custody," as cited by The Sacramento Bee.
Law enforcement is urging anyone who sees anything suspicious, or comes across Abril, to immediately call their tipline at 916-409-1257 or submit any tips to their website. It is advised to exercise extreme caution, with the overall safety and well-being of the public being the primary concern during these troubling times.
