The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced on Friday a $22,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of fugitive convict Gonzalo Lopez. Lopez, 46, is being sought after he was convicted of murder and escaped from a prison bus after slashing a correctional guard during a Thursday transit. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office stated on Facebook on Saturday that while they have no reason to suspect he left the region, “there is no evidence to corroborate that, at this time.”

“Gonzalo Lopez, an inmate, has yet to be apprehended. We have no reason to believe he has left the region; but, Highway 7 between Robbins [and] Centerville remains closed; please avoid the area as much as possible. We have many [agencies] working together to re-arrest Lopez “The office prepared a letter.

Residents in the search area are asked to keep all doors on their homes, buildings, and vehicles secured.

Lopez, one of 16 detainees on the bus, apparently managed to free himself before stabbing the bus driver in the hand with an unknown item. According to the station, the officer wrestled with Lopez to block him from reaching his pistol, and another cop fired bullets at him, although it is unclear whether Lopez was involved.

The bus collided with a ditch, but the other detainees were unharmed.

Gonzalo Lopez escaped from the prison bus after stabbing a jail officer on the way. Lopez fled while dressed in a white prison uniform, according to the sheriff’s office. According to Jason Clark, chief of staff for the TDCJ, the bus driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Lopez was last seen driving over a cow pasture west of Centerville.

Lopez had been sentenced to life in prison for capital murder and attempted capital murder. In 2006, he was convicted of murdering a man along the Texas-Mexico border. Lopez was most recently imprisoned in Gatesville, according to prison records.