DECATUR, Texas (AP) -- Officials say a man who led authorities in Texas on a 100 mph car chase and may be linked to the slaying of Colorado's state prison chief is a paroled prison inmate.

The Denver Post reported Thursday evening that the man is 28-year-old Evan Spencer Ebel. A federal law enforcement official confirmed that identity to the Associated Press.

The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Legal records show Ebel was convicted several crimes in Colorado dating back to 2003, including assaulting a prison guard in 2008.

He was spotted driving a car that matched the description of the vehicle seen leaving the home of prisons chief Tom Clements Tuesday night around the time he was shot.

Ebel fired on authorities when they tried to stop his car in Texas. He was eventually shot by authorities who say he is essentially dead but is hooked up to equipment for organ harvesting.