Washington, Sep 12 (IANS/EFE): T.J. Lane, convicted of killing three students in a shooting at a school in Ohio two years ago, has been captured five hours after he escaped from a prison where he was serving a life sentence, media reported.

Lane, 19, escaped Thursday from the prison in Lima, Ohio, a little before 8 p.m. along with 45-year-old Clifford Opperud who was serving a sentence for aggravated robbery and kidnapping.

Opperud's whereabouts still remain unknown.

Lane entered a school in Chardon Feb 27, 2012, and opened fire at students inside a cafeteria, killing three students and injuring three others.

In 2013, he was found guilty of the crime and sentenced to life in prison.

The Lima police department deployed a large number of officers to search for the escaped convicts, whom they considered to be dangerous.

After the escape, schools in Chardon remained closed Friday for security reasons.

Residents of the city were advised against opening their doors to strangers or picking up hitchhikers.