Federal Inmate Kills North Carolina Officer During Escape, Caught in Stolen Vehicle

In Murphy, North Carolina, federal inmate Kelvin Simmons fatally shot detention officer Francisco Paul Flattes with the officer's own gun during a medical appointment at Erlanger Orthopedics. The incident began when Simmons, who was at the clinic for treatment, engaged in a scuffle and seized the weapon before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. Simmons was apprehended after a short standoff in Macon County following a police pursuit involving a pit maneuver, with no further injuries reported. Officer Flattes, a four-year employee whose wife also works for the county detention center, succumbed to his injuries, while another officer was injured but not from gunfire. Simmons, who was already facing bank robbery charges and had previously escaped custody in October 2024, will be charged with first-degree murder and additional charges. Authorities and Erlanger Orthopedics expressed condolences to the fallen officer's family and emphasized ongoing safety efforts amid the investigation.