(WAFF/WFIE/Gray News) – Former corrections officer Vicky White and escaped murder suspect Casey White had planned for a shootout before they were captured, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.
The pair from Lauderdale County, Alabama, were caught in Evansville, Indiana, on Monday, when US Marshals collided with their vehicle and knocked it sideways into a ditch.
Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Sheriff Dave Wedding said in a news conference that Casey White told investigators their plan was to open fire on law enforcement, WFIE reported. They were carrying four handguns and an AR-15 rifle, along with $29,000 in cash, officials said.
Wedding said he was thankful the chase ended the way it did.
“Sometimes people may call that an unnecessary action, but that action may have saved many of my deputies and fellow law enforcement officers’ lives,” he said. “That’s why I represent the sheriff’s office. I want to bring my people home, and I don’t care about the fugitives’ lives if it protects my people’s lives.”
Vicky White allegedly shot herself and later died at the hospital. Casey White surrendered to authorities after the crash. I have suffered minor injuries.
Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Sheriff Dave Wedding displayed the handguns and rifle the fugitives had when they were captured. (CNN)
Authorities do not believe Casey White shot Vicky White, but a coroner will make the final determination, Wedding said.
The escaped inmate waived extradition on Tuesday.
Jess Powers, director of the Vanderburgh County Cyber Crime Task Force, told The Associated Press that Casey White appeared in court by video and “will be immediately extradited. Most likely he will be moved as quickly as possible” back to Alabama.
Authorities say US Marshals were chasing Vicky White and Casey White when the Cadillac they were in crashed.
The US Marshals Service said when Casey White came out of the car, he said, “Please help my wife. She just shot herself in the head, and I didn’t do it.”
Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said they have got a “dangerous man off the street.”
“Casey White will not see the light of day again,” Singleton said.
He adds that there is no evidence at this time that anyone else was involved.
Former Alabama corrections officer Vicky White has died from injuries after she and escaped inmate Casey White were arrested Monday. (Credit: WFIE, WEVV, CNN)
On April 29, the inmate and the former Assistant Director of Corrections were reported missing.
Vicky White and Casey White left the Lauderdale County Detention Center at 9:30 am allegedly heading to the courthouse. Vicky White said she was taking Casey White to a mental health evaluation and then to seek medical care because she was not feeling well. Singleton later confirmed there was not a scheduled mental health evaluation.
Inmates told authorities that the two had a “special relationship” where Casey White received extra privileges, all from Vicky White. They first met in 2020 when Casey White was in Lauderdale County Jail. When he was moved to prison, they remained in contact. He returned to Lauderdale County Jail earlier this year.
Casey White was serving a 75-year prison sentence for attempted murder and other charges at the time of his escape. He was awaiting trial in the stabbing of a 58-year-old woman during a burglary in 2015. He could face the dealth penalty if convicted.
A warrant for Vicky White was issued May 2, charging her with permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree.
Authorities discovered Vicky White had bought a 2007 Ford Edge days before the pair ran off. She was also seen days before shopping for men’s clothing at Kohl’s and sold her house for below market value.
“This escape was obviously well planned and calculated. They had plenty of resources, cash, vehicles. They had everything they needed to pull this off,” Singleton said.
One week later, the 2007 Ford Edge was found in Bethesda, Tennessee, after it had apparently broken down.
A Ford F-150 was left abandoned at a car wash last week in Evansville, Indiana. The manager looked at the surveillance video and believed he saw Casey White. The US Marshals were called in.
From there, the US Marshals started narrowing their focus on Vicky White and Casey White being in Evansville, Indiana, where they were found on Monday.
Authorities provide photos of evidence found after finding Vicky White and Casey White in Indiana. (Credit: Vanderburgh County Sheriff via CNN Newsource)
Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly wants justice to be served.
“His capital murder case is set for June. Plan A would be to try him for June, but there are a lot of moving parts between then and now,” Connolly said.
Copyright 2022 WAFF via Gray Media Group, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to the report. All rights reserved.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism