Residents on edge during massive manhunt for escaped inmates

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PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. - People surrounding Putnam County are on edge after two corrections officers were killed by two inmates, who are now on the run.

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A lookout has been issued for Donnie Russell Rowe, 43, and Ricky Dubose, 24, who, authorities say, overpowered and disarmed the two guards around 6:45 a.m. as about 30 inmates were being driven between prisons.

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Rowe and Dubose then carjacked a getaway car and fled, armed with the officers' .40-caliber Glock pistols. They are believed to be traveling in a grass green Honda Civic with Georgia tags RBJ660.

"It's scary. Hopefully, they can find them as soon as possible. There's no telling how many more lives they can take,” said Mystery Pierce, Putnam County resident.

RELATED: $60K reward offered for escaped inmates in Putnam County

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Law enforcement went door-to-door Tuesday morning informing people about what happened and urging them to lock their doors as the search continues.

Residents in the area expressed shock that such a tragedy had happened in such a quiet area.

“It’s scary because the area was near where we live,” a neighbor said. “So I called my husband who was home alone and told him to lock the doors.”

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Residents in the city of Madison were on edge after an alleged sighting there. Officers carrying high-power rifles swarmed a shopping area, going business-to-business doing a tactical search.

The massive search has shut down traffic in the area.

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Officials are urging the public to not to approach Rowe and Dubose if they see them and to call 911 immediately.

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