Inmates killed two prison gaurds during an escape from a bus transport in Georgia Tuesday morning, authorities said.
The Georgia Department of Corrections identified the guards as Christopher Monica and Curtis Billue, both officers at Baldwin State Prison.
Authorities are searching for two inmates, 43-year-old Donnie Russell Rowe and 24-year-old Ricky Dubose. They are believed to have fled in a "grass green," four-door Honda Civic.
Putnam County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teresa Slade says the escape and slayings happened around 7:23 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 16 in Putnam County as inmates were being transported between facilities
The U.S. deputy attorney general condemned the slayings during testimony before a Senate budget panel.
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said, "An attack on any American law enforcement officer is an attack on every American law enforcement officer and the principles we all believe in."
Rosenstein said federal resources are being committed to help catch the fugitives.
The FBI has released a description of the vehicle in which the inmates are believed to have fled as a "grass green," four-door 2004 Honda Civic with the Georgia license plate number RBJ-6601.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is urging people not to approach the men and to call 911 if they spot the pair.
Putnam County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teresa Slade says the getaway happened at about 7:23 a.m. Tuesday, southeast of Atlanta. She says a witness saw the men escape in a dark green Honda.
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