Inmate fatally shoots officer during medical clinic escape

In North Carolina, a federal inmate named Kelvin Simmons, 48, escaped while being transported to an orthopedics office in Murphy. On Monday, July 1, 2025, while at the medical clinic for undisclosed treatment, a confrontation ensued between Simmons and the detention officer accompanying him. During the altercation, Simmons managed to take the officer's firearm and fatally shot him, resulting in the death of the officer, identified as Francisco Paul Flattes, 56. Flattes had served four years at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, where his wife is also employed. After the shooting, Simmons fled the scene, stealing a vehicle parked nearby. He evaded capture initially and drove toward Macon County. Emergency personnel in Clay County alerted Macon County deputies of Simmons' location as he headed towards their area on U.S. Route 64. Authorities set up a response, which led to the apprehension of Simmons after a short standoff. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported at the scene when Simmons was taken into custody. Sheriff Dustin Smith expressed the gravity of the situation, calling it one of the worst days in his career. He confirmed that Simmons would face charges of first-degree murder in the shooting of Officer Flattes. Flattes' tragic death has deeply affected the local law enforcement community as well as his family. Simmons was being held previously on bank robbery charges and had a history of escape attempts, including one from October 2024. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety protocols for transporting inmates to medical appointments and drew attention to the potential risks faced by detention officers in such situations. The death of Francisco Paul Flattes is not just a loss for his family but also for the community, as he was a dedicated public servant. Further investigations are ongoing, both in terms of Simmons’ actions and the procedures following the unfortunate incident involving Flattes.