Texas resumes inmate transportation following pause after Gonzalo Lopez escape

Texas has ended its pause on inmate transportation after the escape of Gonzalo Lopez, a convicted killer and Mexican Mafia associate.

Gonzalo Lopez, a convicted murderer, escaped a prison transport bus on May 12. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said resume the transportation of prisoners following the escape of Lopez, who was shot and killed by authorities.   (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) Gonzalo Lopez is seen in a surveillance camera image just before he escaped during a Texas prison bus trip on May 12. (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) These photos provided by the family via Houston Northwest Church shows, from left to right, Bryson Collins, Carson Collins, Hudson Collins, Waylon Collins and Mark Collins, who authorities believe were all killed by Gonzalo Lopez, 46, a convicted murderer who escaped from prison.  (Family Photo/Courtesy of Houston Northwest Church via AP) Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.

"The public’s safety is the first duty and highest obligation for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice," said Executive Director Bryan Collier. "We have completed a review of the agency’s transportation protocols and will be taking the necessary steps to add additional security measures when moving inmates throughout the state on its roadways."

Lopez freed himself from his restraints and assaulted a guard before temporarily taking over the bus and fleeing. He was on the lam for three weeks before he died in a shootout with authorities near San Antonio.