The murdered Texas students and their grandfather are remembered as “bright shining stars

Collins, 66, visited the family weekend ranch in Leon County with four of his seven grandchildren are brothers Waylon, 18, Carson, 16, and Hudson, 11, and their cousin Bryson Collins, 11. There they were killed by a convicted murderer. who was the subject of one of the biggest raids for escaped prisoner in Texas history.

gonzalo lopez, who escaped from prisoner bus last a month later was killed in skirmish with officers.

“What happened to Collins family unspeakable,” said David Crane, a Harris County Sheriff’s Investigator who is a close friend of of family said CNN affiliate KTRK-TV, calling them “bright shining stars.”

Waylon Collins graduated from Tomball High School. just days before his death, KTRK reports.

“Loss of a student, for Any reason is heartbreaking, but losing four in so tragic way excruciatingly,” said Tombol Independent School District Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora. in letter. Our thoughts and prayers with in family and friends of these beloved students and grandfather.

Friday friends and family wept and hugged during a vigil on the Tomball School District baseball field, where Waylon was a referee for a little league.

The suspect was a member of cruel prison gang

Lopez was killed in skirmish with power late Thursday night, hours after being named a suspect in in killing of According to officials, Collins and his grandchildren. Investigators believe that Lopez infiltrated the families home and stole truck.

Lopez was driving truck When it was disabled with a spike strip in city of Jourdanton, said Jason Clarke, spokesman for Department of Texas of Criminal Justice. Then Lopez got into a shootout with officers after the accident vehicle.

“He fired several rounds officers and was armed with AR-15 and a pistol,” Clarke said, adding that firearms are likely also stolen from the Collins ranch.

The officers were not hurt.

Lopez was affiliated with a powerful and cruel prison a gang known as the Mexican Mafia was associated with San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. areaaccording to state public safety department.

Collins ranch was within the perimeter that the police searched after Lopez. escape, which happened on May 12 near Centerville when he was being picked up from the facility. in Gatesville to another block in Huntsville for medical reception.

Centerville is about 120 miles away north of Houston, according to officials.

Lopez was being carried in separate, caged area of in prison the bus broke down out of its restraints, cut through the metal and crawled out of bottom of in cageofficials said.

He attacked driver and forced the bus to stop, authorities said. two got out of in the vehicle, and when another officer began to approach, Lopez went back on the bus and tried drive it is far.

The officers shot at the tires and stopped vehicle, the authorities said. Lopez then left bus and ran into the forest off of Highway 7, according to authorities.

Lopez was on list of ten most wanted state fugitives, with authorities offer up up to $50,000 for information leading to his capture.