
The Texas Seven: Eleven Shots on Christmas Eve
From Crime at Bedtime by Jack Laurence
April 26, 2026 · 29 min · Season 1 · Episode 167
About this episode
The episode recounts the audacious prison break by the Texas Seven and the tragic fate of Officer Aubrey Hawkins.
On December 13, 2000, seven convicted felons walked out of a maximum-security Texas prison in broad daylight. They overpowered guards, stole weapons, and drove through the front gate in a maintenance truck. For eleven days, they stayed ahead of the largest manhunt in Texas history. Then, on Christmas Eve, they robbed a sporting goods store in Irving. Officer Aubrey Hawkins responded to the call. He left his family at dinner, drove across the highway, and pulled into the car park. He never saw the ambush coming. Shot eleven times and run over as the escapees fled, Hawkins became the tragic end to one of the most audacious prison breaks in American history. This is the story of the Texas Seven, the month-long manhunt that followed, and the police officer who paid the ultimate price. Become a Patreon or Apple + subscriber now for ealry and ad free access from as little as $1.69 a week. All the details here Subscribe to Crime at Bedtimes Youtube channel HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
People in this episode
Host: Jack Laurence
Topics covered
- prison break
- true crime
- law enforcement
- manhunt
- tragedy
Keywords
- Texas Seven
- prison escape
- Aubrey Hawkins
- manhunt
- true crime
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Texas, Irving
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