HOUSTON — A man who escaped from a Houston behavioral hospital early Monday has been captured, authorities announced Tuesday morning.
Scott Evan Shepple, 35, was taken into custody without incident at the Greenchase Inn around 5:30 a.m. near Mount Houston Road and the North Freeway, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Shepple had been on the run since around 8:45 a.m. Monday, when he walked away from Cypress Creek Behavioral Hospital on Cali Drive, north of FM 1960.
Also related to the search for Shepple, two men have been arrested and charged with hindering apprehension, according to the sheriff. Michael Garrett, 43, and Carl Banks were taken into custody. Banks also faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Investigators said firearms were recovered from the motel room where the arrests were made.
Shepple had been transported to the facility from Grimes County Jail, where he was being held on multiple charges, including sexual assault, resisting arrest, and assaulting a peace officer following his December 2024 arrest.
Gonzalez credited deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, and the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in locating and arresting Shepple.
“Great work by HCSO deputies and Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force members handling the arrest,” Gonzalez said in a social media post. “Good teamwork with Grimes County Sheriff’s Office. I appreciate all law enforcement officers (various agencies) that worked tirelessly to complete mission. And we thank all persons that provided tips to Crimestoppers in Houston and Grimes County.”
Authorities had warned that Shepple was considered dangerous, noting he “is suicidal and has violent tendencies.” The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office also reported that he had made statements about “suicide by cop” and had active warrants in both Grimes and Brazos Counties.
Shepple was described as a white male standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds, with a bald head, blue eyes, and multiple tattoos on his head and neck.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Shepple had known contacts in Grimes, Trinity, and Walker Counties.
The search effort was coordinated by Sheriff Don Sowell of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.