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Escaped South Carolina inmate recaptured after attack on police officer

By Stephen Feller and Doug G. Ware
Michael Alan Williamson, pictured, escaped from the McCormick Correctional Institution around 8:50 p.m. Wednesday and was rearrested Thursday morning in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo courtesy Columbia Police Department
Michael Alan Williamson, pictured, escaped from the McCormick Correctional Institution around 8:50 p.m. Wednesday and was rearrested Thursday morning in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo courtesy Columbia Police Department

COLUMBIA, S.C., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- An inmate who was serving a life sentence and escaped from a South Carolina prison was captured after he attacked a police officer, officials said.

Michael Alan Williamson escaped from McCormick Correctional Institution around 8:50 p.m. Wednesday and traveled to Columbia, where authorities say he stabbed a police officer at a Walmart.

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Williamson was found and arrested in the state capital on Thursday morning, police said.

The injured officer was hospitalized and is expected to recover, police said.

"She's ready to get back in the fight," Columbia Police Chief William Holbrook said.

Officials are investigating how Williamson escaped from the prison, but it's likely he will face charges related to the breakout.

Williamson was sentenced to life in 1998 on an armed robbery conviction, and was also convicted of assault and battery with intent to kill a year earlier.

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