Escaped South Carolina inmate captured after officer stabbing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WFXB) –  Authorities say the inmate who escaped from custody Wednesday night and allegedly stabbed a police officer has been captured.

The Columbia Police Department says the suspect, 47-year-old Michael Allen Williamson, was found around 11AM this morning in the town of Lexington. Williamson escaped Wednesday night from McCormick Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison.

Authorities say the female officer was responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart when Williamson attacked her. Authorities are still investigating how Williamson got out of the prison. The officer is recovering in a local hospital.