The Manhunt for Eric Abril

If you live in Rocklin, Roseville, or the surrounding area, you’re acutely aware of Eric Abril. For about 33-hours, officers from various government agencies conducted a highly visible manhunt of the 35-year old alleged murderer and kidnapper who escaped from a local hospital.

From very early July 9 to midday July 10 2023, helicopters repeatedly flew over the Rocklin and Roseville areas looking for Abril. Police dogs scoured the winding ravines and creek beds of Antelope Creek.

Thankfully, Abril was caught on July 10 at around noon before he could hurt anyone in his attempt to evade police. However, this wasn’t the first time Abril terrorized Placer County residents. 

Let’s dive into the history of Eric Abril - a wanted man and alleged murderer

Abril has a consistent relationship with the police. He consistently keeps making bad decisions. This serious and illegal pattern of behavior has earned Abril a long criminal history in Santa Clara and San Luis Obispo counties. 

In 2008, he was charged with larceny, burglary and control of deadly weapons in Santa Clara County. It is unclear if Abril served time for these charges.

In 2014, Abril was sentenced to 6-years in prison for intimidating/threatening witnesses and burglary in San Luis Obispo County.

On April 6 2023, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers were in the area of Mahany Park to serve a search warrant on Abril’s vehicle and residence in connection to a Sacramento County freeway shooting. It’s unclear when or where this freeway shooting happened. When officers made contact with Abril, chaos erupted.  

While the search warrant was being served, Abril shot and wounded Officer Matthew Hiatt - a member of the CHP. Immediately, CHP officers returned gunfire. 

In an attempt to outrun police, Abril descended upon Mahany Park in Roseville. The happy atmosphere and manicured landscape of this family-friendly park would soon be marred with Abril’s murderous intent.

April 6 2023 was a beautiful, perhaps slightly chilly, spring day in Roseville. At around noon, the temperature was in the low 60s and perfect for a refreshing walk to enjoy the outdoors. On this fateful morning, James and Patricia MacEgan decided to head out of their home and spend time in Mahany Park. James and Patricia had been married for about 50 years and spent the last 30 years living in Roseville. Around the neighborhood, these high school sweethearts were known for their gregariousness and friendly disposition - always ready to wave and chat with anyone.  

Sadly, what was supposed to be a nice visit to Mahany Park turned into a tragedy when James and Patricia encountered Abril. 

As Abril maniacally dashed through the park, trying to outsmart police officers, he made the terrible decision to take James and Patricia as hostages. In total, Abril shot between 15 to 20 rounds at James and Patricia, and police officers. He shot and wounded both Patricia and James; however, only Patricia would live. James was pronounced dead at the scene. 

James was known as a kind, religious man and a gifted musician. Please consider donating to  The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Sacramento in James’ memory. To learn more about James and understand why he was so beloved and respected by the Roseville community, read his obituary on the Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services of the Dioceses of Sacramento website. 

Abril was arrested that day by police officers. I wish this was the end of Abril’s horrific story. But it’s not.

On July 6 2023, Abril was taken to the Sutter Roseville Medical Center to treat an unknown medical condition. Abril was under 24-hour surveillance with a police guard always at his side. His classification level was changed before arriving at the hospital, meaning he was assigned only one police guard instead of multiple. Abril had been restrained by belly chains and leg shackles when he left jail for the hospital.

Around 3am on Sunday July 9, Abril escaped his restraints and fled the hospital. It is unknown how Abril was able to free himself. Statements from Placer County Sheriff Woo directly contradict online allegations stating that the police guard fell asleep. Sheriff Woo has declared that the police guard did not fall asleep and Abril was able to “defeat his restraints.” Sheriff Woo has yet to elaborate on how this confrontation unfolded.

Sheriff Woo has been quoted as saying "I don't know what actions the deputy did or did not do that could have violated policy or not, but I can assure this community that if policies were violated, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.”

Abril left the hospital on foot and the police guard chased him into the parking lot. From here, Abril faded into the forested darkness that surrounds this particular hospital.

Just before 4am, a citizen of Rocklin caught footage of Abril walking past their home near Rainier Court. Abril wore orange jail pants and was seen shirtless. His face was covered in visible lesions, whose origins are unknown at this time. From here, Abril submerged himself into the greenbelt nearby.

It is theorized by police that Abril hid among the foliage and brush of Antelope Creek, using dry creek beds as passageways. However, despite Abril’s desperate attempts to stay hidden,  an "alert homeowner" with an inquisitive dog that took an interest in Abril tipped off authorities to his location. Turns out, Abril was hiding in a bush inside the greenbelt section bordering Edgewood Apartments in Rocklin.

Abril was almost nude, with the exception of jail-issued underwear and belly chains. The shrubbery and nature of Antelope Creek made its mark on Abril by adding more lesions, bruises, and abrasions to his body.

Finally, on this day, at around 12:20pm, Abril was taken into custody by police. 

We hope this is the end of Abril’s story and reign of terror.

This article is a consolidation of various internet resources. Without the hard work of other content contributors, this article would not have been possible. Please check out the original work used to create this article.