Placer County sheriff’s deputies say Eric Abril, 35, escaped from a Roseville hospital on July 9, 2023. At right, Abril is seen on security footage in a Rocklin, Calif., neighborhood.
Eric Abril, who is suspected of killing a man he held hostage in Roseville in April, has escaped from a hospital and is on the run, sheriff’s deputies said Sunday.
Abril, who was not shackled, walked out of Sutter Roseville Medical Center in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office says he was seen on security cameras on Rainier Court in Rocklin at 3:39 a.m., about a 45-minute walk from the hospital. Abril was walking northbound toward Saddletree Lane. He was last known to be wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, but the surveillance footage showed he was shirtless.
“I know there is a lot of questions surrounding this case,” Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said during a Sunday press conference. “Specifically, surrounding the circumstances regarding the escape. Quite frankly, I have a lot of questions as well.”
Abril, 35, is a white male with brown hair and a “tattoo on his left shoulder of what appears to be ocean waves and bamboo,” the sheriff’s office said. He is approximately 6 feet tall and 175 pounds.
“We are asking all residents to please review any security cameras for potential sightings of Abril,” the sheriff’s office said. Abril is considered extremely dangerous and anyone who sees him should immediately call 911. If you want to report a tip, you can call 916-409-1257 or use the sheriff’s office form online.
We have developed new information revealing Abril was last seen on video surveillance walking near Rainier Ct in Rocklin at 3:39 a.m., and then nb a few minutes later on Saddletree Ln. We have expanded our search area to include parts of Rocklin, as reflected in our updated map. pic.twitter.com/naiA4OoPxR
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) July 9, 2023
On April 6, authorities say Abril took two hostages in a Roseville park when California Highway Patrol officers attempted to serve him with a search warrant in connection to a Sacramento County freeway shooting. Abril shot and killed Roseville resident James MacEgan, and wounded his wife Patricia MacEgan and a CHP officer. Abril apparently did not know the MacEgans. Officers shot back at Abril, who was wounded before being taken into custody.