A 79-year-old St. Louis man free after being paroled for three murders is heading back to prison for a fourth.
Thomas Epps was convicted of a triple murder in 1973. He served 14 years, and was paroled in 1988. He broke parole and spent eight years on the run before being captured and jailed until 2003.
The elderly Epps used a wheelchair or motorized scooter to get around the Lafayette Towne senior housing complex in St. Louis where he lived.
In late January 2017, Epps reported that someone had broken into his room and stolen his life savings. On Jan. 19, he got into his wheelchair, picked up a pistol, and went on a shooting rampage through the senior center.
He fatally shot another employee, 32-year-old Tiandra Johnson, in the hallway outside the office.
“It was my life savings,” Epps said.
“Is that reason to shoot somebody?” Schaumann asked.
“I was awfully upset,” Epps said. “I’m awfully sorry.”
Epps pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 18 years.
Already a Triple Murderer
Torrance Epps had a history of shooting people.He shot his three relatives because he suspected they were hiding his wife, Linda, who had left him because he beat her.
Epps was sentenced to 30 years in jail and served 14 before being paroled in 1988. He was sent to a halfway house, which he fled.
He lived as a fugitive for eight years before getting arrested for illegally selling food stamps. He was sent back to prison until 2003.
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