Vernon police increase search for hospital escapee acquitted of murder by reason of insanity
The Vernon Police Department added multiple law agencies to the search for a state hospital escapee acquitted of murder by reason of insanity.
Alexander Ervin, 29, of Austin, escaped the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon, near the Oklahoma-Texas border on June 26. He was acquitted in the 2013 murder of his father by reason of insanity. Police said Ervin is considered armed and dangerous.
“It has been reported to us that he likes to make makeshift weapons,” Vernon Police Chief Randy Agan said. “And of course, he’s in for being found not guilty due to insanity on a murder. We are concerned that he could be armed and dangerous.”
Ervin, who is autistic, left his dorm around 9 p.m. and was seen on video climbing an 8-foot fence and leaving the hospital campus around 9:15 p.m., heading north, according to police.
Vernon police said on July 2 that the Wilbarger County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, United States Marshals Service and Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Units joined the “systematic search” for Ervin. The agencies are conducting additional searches in areas already covered, the post said.
“Therefore, there is no reason to be alarmed by the presence of these Law Enforcement Agencies. However, citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and remember, ‘if you see something, hear something,’ report it to local Police or Sheriffs Department,” the post said.
Agan said the Texas Attorney Generals’ Fugitive Task Unit is also a part of the search.
The search team believes Ervin is still in their jurisdiction. The Vernon police will continue its part in the search in the city and surrounding counties until he is found or when the team confirms Ervin is out of their jurisdiction, Agan said Wednesday.
“We’re still conducting our searches diligently and following up on all of our investigations, tips or calls,” Agan said.
He said there are anywhere from 20 to 30 personnel searching for Ervin, plus anyone in the neighboring counties.
The Texas Department of Corrections provided the search team with bloodhounds that picked up Ervin’s trail.
“Wilbur County Sheriff’s Office contacted the prison,” Agan said. “They brought out bloodhounds and they did pick up tracks in the north.”
Ervin is described as a white man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 206 pounds and bald with a mustache. He was last seen wearing a gray zip-up hoodie, black shirt, tan pants and black shoes.
This story was originally published July 1, 2022 at 2:32 PM.