December 24th, 2000, Irving Texas. Christmas Eve had settled over the city and for most people the night was filled with excitement, family plans, and last-minute shopping before Christmas morning. Inside Oshman’s Superstore USA, employees were finishing one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Customers moved throughout the large sporting goods store purchasing holiday gifts, shoes, sports equipment, camping supplies, and hunting gear.
Workers inside the store were preparing to close for the night hoping to finally head home to their families after long holiday shifts. Nothing about the atmosphere inside the building suggested that within minutes the store would become the center of one of the most shocking crimes in Texas history. What nobody inside Oshman’s realized was that seven escaped prison inmates had already arrived at the location with a carefully planned robbery scheme.
These men were later identified as the infamous Texas Seven, a group of dangerous convicts who had escaped from a maximum security prison less than two weeks earlier. Armed with multiple weapons and communicating through two-way radios, the group split into positions around the store. Larry Harper Murphy remained outside in a truck where he listened closely to police radio frequencies acting as the group’s lookout and warning system.
Meanwhile, George Angel Rivas Jr., the leader of the group, entered the store alongside fellow escapee Donald Newbury Harper. Unlike the others, Rivas and Harper disguised themselves as Oshman’s security personnel in order to avoid suspicion and gain the trust of employees inside the building. Rivas approached the store managers calmly and introduced himself as someone investigating a theft that had supposedly occurred at another Oshman’s location.
Speaking confidently and professionally, he explained that they needed the employees gathered together so they could look through a photo spread connected to the investigation. The story sounded believable and because Rivas appeared so composed, nobody immediately questioned him. Employees were gradually directed toward the break room without realizing they were being manipulated into a robbery setup.
At the same time, the other escapees quietly moved throughout the store gathering merchandise, weapons, and equipment while waiting for the signal to fully take control of the building. Then the entire situation changed in seconds. Once the employees had been gathered together, George Rivas suddenly pulled out a gun and announced that the store was being robbed.
Panic immediately spread throughout the building as terrified workers realized the men standing in front of them were not security officers at all, but armed criminals. Rivas ordered the other men to begin tying up employees inside the break room while customers and workers were forced under control at gunpoint. Fear consumed the store as people begged not to be hurt while the robbers moved quickly through the building.
The attackers now had complete control over Oshman’s and everyone inside understood that any resistance could get them killed. Rivas then focused his attention on store manager Wesley Ferris. Holding him at gunpoint, Rivas demanded access to the store’s gun vault, cash registers, and safe. Witnesses later recalled that Rivas repeatedly warned Ferris that he would be shot if he failed to cooperate or attempted to resist.
Under enormous pressure and fearing for his life, Ferris complied with every demand. The robbers emptied the store of firearms, ammunition, cash, and expensive outdoor equipment while Rivas maintained strict control over the situation. After taking Ferris’s keys, Rivas forced him into the break room alongside the other frightened employees who remained tied up and helpless while the robbery continued.
Outside the building, however, the group’s operation had already started to unravel. A woman named Misty Wright was sitting in her vehicle waiting for her boyfriend, one of the Oshman’s employees, to finish his shift. As she watched the store from outside, she suddenly noticed employees inside raising their hands above their heads.
Almost immediately, she sensed that something was seriously wrong. Concerned and frightened, Wright contacted a friend who joined her in the car while they continued observing the suspicious activity inside the store. Moments later, they saw George Rivas exit through the front entrance and drive Wesley Ferris’s Ford Explorer around to the back loading dock area so the stolen merchandise could be loaded more easily.
Realizing this was likely a robbery, Wright quickly drove away from the scene to a nearby restaurant where she called the police. As she sped away, Rivas noticed her vehicle leaving the area and immediately became suspicious. Using his two-way radio, he warned the other members of the group that someone may have alerted authorities.
He instructed the men inside the store to move toward the back of the building and prepare for possible police arrival. Only minutes later, another radio message came through. Larry Harper Murphy, who was monitoring police communications from outside, warned the group that a police vehicle had just entered the Oshman’s parking lot.
The first officer to respond was Irving Police Officer Aubrey Hawkins. Hawkins was only 29 years old and was widely respected within the Irving Police Department for his professionalism, dedication, and work ethic. He was a husband, a father, and a young officer with a strong reputation among fellow law enforcement officers.
On that Christmas Eve night, Hawkins was simply responding to what initially appeared to be a suspicious activity call at a sporting goods store. He had no way of knowing that he was walking directly into an ambush involving seven heavily armed escaped convicts. When Officer Hawkins arrived at Oshman’s, he drove directly toward the back of the store near the loading dock area.
The moment he entered the area, the escapees opened fire. Investigators later revealed that Hawkins was shot 11 times with at least five different weapons from multiple directions. The attack was overwhelming and immediate, giving the officer almost no opportunity to defend himself. Evidence presented later during trial showed that the gunfire came from at least three different positions and that Hawkins died almost instantly during the ambush.
Even after Hawkins collapsed, the violence continued. Some of the escapees dragged his body from his police vehicle and stole his service weapon. During the chaos, George Rivas drove Wesley Ferris’s Ford Explorer over Hawkins’ body, dragging him approximately 10 ft across the ground while the group scrambled to escape the scene.
Rivas himself was wounded during the exchange of gunfire, but despite the injury, the escapees managed to flee before additional officers arrived. The group escaped with more than $70,000 in cash, 44 stolen firearms, large amounts of ammunition, camping equipment, and personal belongings taken from the employees, including wallets and jewelry.
The murder of Officer Aubrey Hawkins instantly transformed the robbery into a massive capital murder investigation that shocked the entire country. News spread rapidly that the suspects responsible were not ordinary criminals, but escaped prison inmates already wanted across Texas. Within hours, one of the largest manhunts in Texas history was underway as authorities searched desperately for the dangerous fugitives later known nationwide as the Texas Seven.
Even after the killing, the group continued committing crimes while moving northward across the country. The Texas Seven carried out additional armed robberies as they attempted to stay ahead of law enforcement. Using stolen money from the Ashman’s robbery, George Rivas purchased a recreational vehicle for the group to travel in.
At one point, pretending to be a law enforcement officer, Rivas even entered a police supply store and purchased body armor in an effort to prepare for future confrontations with authorities. To understand the full details of this jaw-dropping case, let’s rewind back into the life of George Angel Rivas Jr. He was born in 1970 in El Paso, Texas, and long before his name became connected to one of the most shocking prison escape cases in American history, he was a man whose early life slowly drifted into crime through instability and repeated exposure to criminal environments.
As a teenager, instead of building a normal path forward, he gradually entered into criminal activity that started small but quickly escalated into serious offenses involving burglary, robbery, and increasingly violent behavior. Over time, Rivas developed a pattern of carefully planned crimes, often involving disguises and coordinated tactics, which showed a level of planning that set him apart from impulsive offenders.
These actions eventually led to multiple convictions, and before the year 2000, he had already been sentenced to an extraordinary total of 18 life sentences for crimes including 13 counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of aggravated robbery, and one count of burglary of a habitation, all tied to a series of highly organized robberies carried out with disguises and walkie-talkies.
Despite his criminal path, it is also noted that Rivas once aspired to become a police officer, a detail that became ironic given the crimes he ultimately committed. He also married a Canadian woman by proxy while incarcerated, further showing how his life had already become disconnected from normal society even before the events that made him infamous.
Inside the Texas prison system, George Rivas quickly developed a reputation as an intelligent, calm, and highly manipulative individual who was capable of influencing others around him. Prison officials and inmates viewed him as someone who did not act recklessly, but instead thought strategically and always maintained control in tense environments.
Because of his behavior and perceived reliability, he was assigned to a prison work detail at the Connally Unit, a maximum-security facility in Texas, where inmates were sometimes allowed limited movement and responsibilities outside their cells. This assignment placed him in close contact with other high-risk inmates who, like him, were serving long sentences and growing increasingly frustrated with the idea of spending the rest of their lives behind bars.
Within this environment, relationships began to form between select prisoners who shared similar mindsets, and over time, Rivas naturally became a central figure within this group due to his experience in planning complex criminal operations and his ability to maintain authority without open conflict. Life inside the Connally Unit was strict, controlled, and designed to prevent exactly the kind of coordination that was beginning to form among these inmates.
But even within such a structured system, Rivas and the others working on the inmate maintenance crew were able to interact regularly under supervision. During these interactions, trust slowly developed between them, and conversations that initially revolved around daily prison life gradually shifted toward deeper frustration about their sentences and the possibility of escape.
As time passed, the idea of breaking out of prison stopped being just frustration and slowly became a serious topic of discussion among the group. They began paying attention to prison routines, security patterns, staff behavior, and movement schedules, quietly analyzing every possible weakness in the system while maintaining a normal appearance during daily operations.
Without openly announcing leadership, George Rivas naturally emerged as the main planner and coordinator of these discussions, guiding conversations and helping structure ideas in a way that made the concept of escape feel more realistic to the group. His ability to remain calm, think ahead, and break down complex situations made others trust his judgment, and over time he became the central point around which the escape idea began to form.
What started as isolated conversations between frustrated inmates slowly developed into a structured and deliberate plan, built step by step inside one of the most secure prison environments in Texas, setting the foundation for what would later become one of the most infamous prison break cases in US history. On December 13th, 2000, inside the John B. Connally Unit, a maximum security prison in South Texas near the city of Kennedy, seven inmates carried out a carefully coordinated escape that had been planned in secret and executed during what appeared to be an ordinary work assignment period.
At the center of the operation was George Angel Rivas Jr., alongside six other inmates serving long-term sentences for serious violent crimes. The group included Michael Anthony Rodriguez, 38, Larry James Harper, 37, Joseph Garcia, 29, Patrick Henry Murphy Jr., 39, Donald Keith Newbury, 38, and the youngest member, Randy Halprin, 23. Together, they formed a tightly connected group that would later become known nationally as the Texas 7.
At approximately 11:20 a.m., the inmates used their prison work assignment access to move with less suspicion inside the facility, allowing them to position themselves strategically for the breakout. Once the opportunity was right, they suddenly overpowered prison staff and guards, quickly taking control of the situation in a matter of minutes. The workers and guards were restrained and left unconscious inside an electrical room, unable to immediately alert authorities.
During the takeover, the escapees stole prison uniforms to disguise themselves and collected weapons from the facility, including 14 handguns, a shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. Using deception and timing, they then fled the prison in a stolen prison truck, passing through internal security checkpoints before the escape was fully detected.
Before leaving the facility, they also left behind a chilling handwritten note that read:
“You haven’t heard the last of us yet.”
By the time prison officials realized the full scale of what had happened, the escape had already succeeded and a massive statewide alert was issued. The escapees, who would go on to commit a string of crimes as they trekked northward through Texas, quickly became known nationally as the Texas 7. A name that would soon dominate headlines across the country.
A large-scale manhunt was immediately launched, involving multiple law enforcement agencies and coordinated efforts across state lines to capture the dangerous fugitives who had escaped a maximum security prison. After the breakout, the group split up and began moving across Texas and neighboring areas, using stolen identities, disguises, and constant movement to avoid detection.
On December 19th, the group escalated their criminal activity by committing additional robberies in Houston, where they targeted a Radio Shack and an AutoZone, stealing money and supplies to support their life on the run. During this time, they also obtained security officer uniforms from a used clothing store, which they intended to use as disguises to help them blend in and avoid suspicion during future movements.
Despite these efforts, life outside prison quickly became unstable and increasingly stressful. As they continued traveling northward, the reality of their situation began to set in. Constant fear of capture, lack of stable shelter, and limited financial resources placed growing pressure on the group.
Internal tension began to rise among the members as the difficulty of staying hidden became more apparent. The escape that once felt carefully controlled was now turning into a desperate struggle for survival, and disagreements began to surface over how best to continue avoiding law enforcement. With pressure increasing and resources running low, the group eventually came to the conclusion that committing more armed robberies would be necessary to sustain themselves.
What started as a prison escape had now fully transformed into a violent multi-state crime spree as the Texas 7 continued moving northward while law enforcement agencies across the country intensified one of the largest manhunts in Texas history. After the murder of Officer Aubrey Hawkins during the Christmas Eve robbery at Oshman’s Sporting Goods Store in Irving, Texas, law enforcement agencies immediately escalated what had already become one of the largest manhunts in Texas history.
The FBI worked closely with Texas law enforcement and multiple local agencies to track down the escaped inmates, while nationwide media coverage spread alerts across the country warning the public about the dangerous fugitives known as the Texas 7. Investigators followed a growing trail of evidence that led them across state lines, connecting robberies, stolen vehicles, and sightings as the group continued moving northward in an attempt to stay ahead of capture.
Eventually, investigators traced the escapees to Colorado, where they had been hiding in an RV park near Colorado Springs for several weeks. During this time, the group attempted to avoid detection by living quietly and posing as missionaries, trying to blend into the community while staying hidden from law enforcement.
However, their cover was blown when a neighbor at the RV park recognized them after seeing a television report on America’s Most Wanted and immediately contacted the police. Acting on this critical tip, law enforcement organized a coordinated SWAT operation to move in on the location. On January 22nd, 2001, a SWAT team surrounded the RV park and prepared to arrest the fugitives.
As officers closed in and capture became inevitable, Larry James Harper took his own life rather than surrender. George Rivas, Michael Rodriguez, Joseph Garcia, and Randy Halprin were captured at the scene, while Patrick Murphy Jr. and Donald Newberry initially evaded the raid but were located 2 days later at a hotel and ultimately surrendered to authorities.
At the time of their arrest, investigators recovered Officer Hawkins’ service weapon along with firearms and stolen merchandise from the Oshman’s robbery, directly linking the group to the murder and crimes committed during their escape. Following their capture, George Angel Rivas Jr. was identified by investigators and prosecutors as the leader of the escape group.
He was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Officer Hawkins during the Irving robbery. At the time of the escape, Rivas had been serving a life sentence for multiple convictions, including 13 counts of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, and one count of burglary of a habitation.
Prosecutors also argued that he was responsible for planning both the prison escape from the Connally Unit and the robbery at Oshman’s, making him the central figure in the entire sequence of crimes. During the trial held in a Dallas County, Texas criminal court, jurors were presented with detailed evidence showing Rivas’ leadership role in organizing the escape and coordinating the robbery that led to Officer Hawkins’ death.
The prosecution argued that he was the driving force behind the Texas 7 operation, while the defense challenged aspects of intent during the shooting. Rivas himself testified during the trial, claiming that he only shot at Officer Hawkins because Hawkins was reaching for his weapon. He further stated that he believed Hawkins was wearing a bulletproof vest and that he aimed at the chest in an attempt to subdue him rather than kill him.
He also testified that he did not realize he had run over Hawkins with a vehicle until hearing the evidence presented during the trial. Despite his testimony, a jury convicted George Rivas of capital murder in August 2001. During the punishment phase of the trial, Rivas surprised many by asking the jury to sentence him to death, stating that he accepted responsibility for his actions.
The jury agreed and he was formally sentenced to death in 2002. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals later affirmed both his conviction and death sentence in June 2004, upholding the decision of the trial court. Over the following years, Rivas continued to file appeals through both state and federal courts, as well as requests to the state clemency board, but every appeal was denied all the way up to the final week before his execution.
In the years that followed, all five of the surviving members of the Texas 7 were also convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death, marking the case as one of the most significant prison escape and manhunt prosecutions in Texas history.
“I take responsibility, sir. Look, I’m not going to blame my friends for anything. I take full responsibility, but I wasn’t happy with what happened. And uh that’s why two of the guys were separated from us.”
After his conviction and death sentence, George Angel Rivas Jr. spent the final years of his life on death row at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, a facility known for housing some of the state’s most serious offenders under highly restricted conditions.
During this time, he lived under strict confinement with limited movement, limited contact with other inmates, and constant supervision by prison authorities. His daily life was heavily controlled, consisting mostly of isolation, routine prison procedures, and long periods of reflection while awaiting the outcome of his appeals.
Over the years, Rivas gave interviews and made reflections from death row in which he acknowledged responsibility for his role in the escape, the robbery, and the death of Officer Aubrey Hawkins. While he maintained explanations about the events of that night, he also accepted that his actions led to irreversible consequences.
His statements from this period showed a mixture of reflection and accountability as he faced the reality of the crime that defined his life. During this time, the emotional impact of the case on Officer Hawkins’ family was frequently referenced in official case records and appeals, highlighting the lasting pain caused by the events of Christmas Eve 2000.
Rivas also experienced the long and complex appeals process that followed his conviction. He filed numerous appeals in both state and federal courts, along with requests to the state clemency board, attempting to challenge or reduce his sentence. However, every appeal was denied, and over time, his legal options were exhausted.
Despite being surrounded by other death row inmates, his interactions remained limited, and his final years were marked by waiting, isolation, and the certainty of an approaching execution date. On February 29th, 2012, George Rivas, aged 41, was transferred to the execution chamber at the Huntsville Unit in Huntsville, Texas.
By this time, Texas no longer allowed special last meal requests for condemned inmates, meaning he was served the same meal provided to the rest of the unit rather than a custom final meal. As he entered his final moments, he was prepared for execution by lethal injection, bringing his long legal journey and years on death row to its conclusion.
Before the procedure began, Rivas delivered his final statement. He said:
“First of all, for the Aubrey Hawkins family, I do apologize for everything that happened. Not because I’m here, but for closure in your hearts. I really do believe you deserve that.”
He then addressed his wife, sister, son, friends, family, and fellow death row inmates, expressing gratitude and farewell. He said:
“Thank you to the people involved in the courtesy of the officers. I’m grateful for everything in my life. To my wife, take care of yourself. I will be waiting for you. I love you. God bless. I am ready to go.”
Shortly after his final words, the lethal injection was administered. George Angel Rivas Jr. was pronounced dead at 6:22 p.m., according to official Texas authorities. His execution marked the final legal conclusion of one of the most notorious prison escape cases in Texas history, bringing closure to the long-running case of the Texas Seven and the murder of Officer Aubrey Hawkins.
