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Escaped inmate Richard Matt shot, killed in Northern NY

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WBFO News

Authorities say one of two escaped prisoners from the Clinton Correctional Facility was shot and killed Friday when he failed to comply with them after he was found in the woods. The other escapee, David Sweat, is still on the loose. At a news briefing in Malone Friday night, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the killing of Richard Matt came after authorities received a civilian complaint about a gunshot fired at a camping trailer. Customs and border patrol agents were then sent into the area about 30 miles from the prison.

"The team came upon Matt,  who was armed, and Mr. Matt was shot and killed," Cuomo said. "We have no reason to believe that Mr. Sweat was not with Mr. Matt at the time, but we don't have any confirming evidence that he was either. There are several leads that are being tracked down as we speak about Mr. Sweat and his possible whereabouts, but we don’t have anything to confirm where Mr. Sweat is at this time."

State police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico says agents told Matt to put up his hands. D'Amico says Matt "was shot when he didn't comply."  Police say Matt had a shotgun but didn't use it.

Police are using officers, dogs and helicopters in an area about 22 square miles in the search for escapee David Sweat.

Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole in the killing of a sheriff's deputy in Broome County in 2002. Matt was serving 25 years to life for the killing and dismembering of his former boss. 

A prison guard and a prison tailor shop instructor have been accused of helping the inmates escape.