Originally Posted by MFCT

Yup, because the church shooting was obviously very racially-motivated. And one thing the media didn't portray the escaped prisoners as, was racists. So I doubt anyone's first suspicion upon hearing about the church shooting was "I bet it was one of those damned escaped prisoners."

While we now know it was unrelated to the escaped prisoners...at the time, I suspected this to be a staged event by one of them. The motive being to get their mugshots off the front page of every newspaper (because it worked). This would prove them greater mobility, due to no more awkward moments of having to stand beside their mugshots everywhere they may go, hoping they aren't recognized. I doubt they want to go back to prison. I hope this makes some sense to you.