Texas grandfather, 4 boys killed amid Gonzalo Lopez manhunt identified
Escaped convict Gonzalo Lopez is believed to have killed the five family members in Texas
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Four children found dead with their grandfather in Texas have been identified.
The grandfather was identified as Mark Collins, 66, according to Fox 26 Houston. Authorities believe the five family members were murdered by prison escapee Gonzalo Lopez.
Lopez, an inmate convicted of capital murder, escaped custody on May 12 in Leon County. His disappearance sparked an intense manhunt throughout the area.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The relatives called local authorities to check on Collins, and officials found the grandfather dead, along with four grandchildren. The scene was an apparent murder.
ESCAPED MURDERER GONZALO LOPEZ LOCATED, KILLED FOLLOWING 3-WEEK MANHUNT IN TEXAS
The four deceased children have been identified as Waylon Collins, 18; Carson Collins, 16; Hudson Collins, 11; and Bryson Collins, 11.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This undated photo provided by the family via Houston Northwest Church shows Mark Collins. Collins was one of the people authorities believe was killed by Gonzalo Lopez, 46, a convicted murderer who escaped from prison. (Family Photo/Courtesy of Houston Northwest Church via AP)
This undated photo provided by the family via Houston Northwest Church shows Bryson Collins. Bryson was one of the people authorities believe was killed by Gonzalo Lopez, 46, a convicted murderer who escaped from prison. (Family Photo/Courtesy of Houston Northwest Church via AP)
Lopez took off in a stolen Chevrolet, which was spotted by police near San Antonio. Police pursued, and the confrontation eventually ended in a gunfight, during which Lopez was fatally shot and killed.
The deceased children's school district, Tomball ISD, called the incident "devastating" in a Friday letter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I share the devastating news of a tragedy that has affected our Tomball community, the Tomball letter opened. "The lives of four Tomball SD students and their grandfather were taken from us on Thursday by the escaped Texas fugitive near Centerville."
This undated photo provided by the family via Houston Northwest Church shows, from left to right, Carson Collins, Hudson Collins and Waylon Collins, who authorities believe were all killed by Gonzalo Lopez, 46, a convicted murderer who escaped from prison. (Family Photo/Courtesy of Houston Northwest Church via AP)
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"The loss of a student, for any reason, is heartbreaking, but to lose four in such a tragic way is excruciating, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of these beloved students and grandfather," it continued.