Officials: Murderer still on the run after fleeing courthouse
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Over a week after he fled a Fulton County courthouse before being convicted, police are still searching for a murderer.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard said 26-year-old Verlaine LaGuerre escaped the courthouse Friday before a guilty verdict was handed down in the shooting death of 19-year-old Matthew Hardeman in 2011.
According to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, the judge dismissed the court for lunch, and Laguerre, who had been out of jail on bond since 2012, did not return to the courtroom.
MORE: DA: Murderer flees Fulton County courthouse before verdict
Authorities have described Laguerre as being dangerous.
Fulton County deputies with the Marshal's task force are now searching for Laguerre, authorities said.
Hardeman, who graduated from Avondale High School and was attending Cal State Fullerton on a football scholarship until a knee injury sidelined him, was shot more than 50 times by Laguerre, and two other gunmen at Hardeman’s home by Lakewood Terrace in southeast Atlanta. His body was left in his front yard only to be discovered later by family members.
Laguerre was found guilty of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He had been sentenced to life in prison plus five years.
Earlier, Hardeman's family told FOX 5 News off-camera they are frightened that the convicted murderer is on the loose and are afraid what he could do next.
Anyone who sees Laguerre should not approach him, but rather call 911 or the U.S. Marshal's Office immediately.