Fugitive Convicted of Attempted Murder Captured After 32 Years on the Run
In a remarkable turn of events, a fugitive convicted of attempted murder, Greg Lawson, who had successfully evaded law enforcement for over three decades, has finally been apprehended. This captivating saga unfolded in Huatulco, Mexico, as authorities closed in on the elusive Lawson.
Lawson, now 63 years old, had been on the lam since 1991, fleeing Louisiana in the United States just before a jury found him guilty of the attempted murder of Seth Garlington, a man he had shot. His evasion triggered a nationwide manhunt led by the FBI back in May of that year.
In a video shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) by FBI New Orleans, Lawson can be seen wearing a short-sleeve shirt and a camouflage cap. He greeted officers with a chuckle, asking them, “how are you doing?” before being handcuffed.
The successful capture of Lawson was made possible through the cooperation of Mexican authorities. Douglas Williams Jr, the agent in charge of FBI New Orleans, expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the pivotal role played by their Mexican counterparts.
“We want to thank our partners and the public in this case, who never gave up hope that justice could be served for Mr. Lawson’s victim,” Williams said. “There is no doubt that Mr. Lawson might still be at large if our partners in Mexico had not acted so swiftly.”
The FBI had long suspected Lawson was hiding out in Mexico, but a recent tip they received finally confirmed their suspicions. On Tuesday, September 19th, he was arrested and subsequently transported back to Louisiana, where he will face justice.
According to local reports from KTBS, an altercation between Lawson and Mr. Garlington escalated into a fistfight at a petrol station parking lot. Court documents reveal that Lawson forced Garlington’s vehicle off the highway and fired shots. By the time the jury returned with a guilty verdict, Lawson had already made his escape.
It’s worth noting that the FBI had offered a reward of $10,000 (£8,200) for information leading to Lawson’s capture, making his capture even more significant in the pursuit of justice.