Jailbreak: Alabama manhunt underway for accused killer

Southwestern Alabama was on edge Sunday as the manhunt extended into a second day for an accused killer who escaped a rural jail.

More than 100 law enforcement officials were searching for Demarcus Woodward, 23, indicted in July on charges of fatally shooting a work-release inmate.

Choctaw County Sheriff Tom Abate told USA TODAY that Woodward was one of three men sharing a cell who escaped at about 2 a.m. Saturday. One of the other escapees was nabbed Saturday evening in Tuscaloosa; another was captured in neighboring Sumter County on Sunday morning, Abate said.

"I've been doing everything I can possibly do to get these guys back in jail," Abate said.

Abate said the men had screamed to a guard that someone was ill. The jailer looked through a porthole, saw someone vomiting, opened the cell door and was jumped and choked by the inmates, Abate said. They stole his keys and cellphone and fled on foot.

Abate told USA TODAY that dogs were used to track the inmates to a bank parking lot, where officials say the men were picked up in a vehicle. The manhunt included Alabama's state Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals and local authorities.

Justin Gordon, who was being held on armed robbery charges, was found in a parked car in Tuscaloosa at about 8 p.m. Saturday, Abate said. He said Tuscaloosa police, acting on a tip, took Gordon into custody without incident.

Gemayel Culbert, 32, who was allegedly involved in the deaths of two people at a private club, was picked up by U.S. Marshals Sunday morning, Abate said.

Abate said Chocktaw County, a jurisdiction of less than 15,000 people on the Mississippi border, are working "hand in hand" with surrounding districts.

"I can't say enough about the help the marshals and other agencies have provided," Abate said.

Contributing: Andrea Mandell