SC prisoner that escaped from Columbia hospital captured

A state prisoner convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery escaped from a Columbia hospital, setting off a manhunt on Tuesday.

Travis N. Biggerstaff, 39, escaped from custody around 10:02 a.m., near Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, according to the S.C. Department of Corrections. He was captured near Colonial Drive just before 10:50 a.m., a Columbia Police Department social media post stated.

An SCDC officer fired his weapon during Biggerstaff’s escape, said Jeff Taillon, spokesman for the corrections department. Taillon declined to add if a bullet struck Biggerstaff. Taillon referred The State newspaper for questions to the State Law Enforcement Division, which is leading the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The Columbia Police Department did state in a post, however, that it appeared Biggerstaff had been injured during his escape in the hand. It was unclear if the injury was related to the shooting. Biggerstaff was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital with injuries that do not appear to threaten his life.

His escape remains under investigation by the corrections department, Taillon.

Biggerstaff’s projected release date is set for 2027, according to SCDC records. He is serving time for charges out of Spartanburg County that include kidnapping, armed robbery and grand larceny.

While in prison, Biggerstaff has been disciplined for smuggling contraband and for creating or assisting in the creation of a social media account, according to SCDC records.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 10:27 AM with the headline "SC prisoner that escaped from Columbia hospital captured."