Breaking News: Escaped inmate Richard Matt has been shot and killed.

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NBC News – MALONE, N.Y. (AP) - An escaped prisoner who was shot and killed had been spotted by a law enforcement agent in a heavily wooded area of upstate New York where the search for him and a fellow escapee had been focused recently.

Police haven't revealed details of what led to the Friday afternoon shooting.

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An official with knowledge of the three-week manhunt says Richard Matt was killed and David Sweat is being sought. The official wasn't authorized to talk about the development publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Police have blocked off roads in Malone, where the shooting happened.

Authorities say Matt and Sweat used power tools to break out of the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, about 30 miles away.

A prison guard and a prison tailor shop instructor have been accused of helping the inmates escape by smuggling them tools hidden inside hamburger meat.