Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
A significant security breach occurred at the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, as ten inmates, some facing murder charges, engineered a daring jail escape. Authorities suspect inside assistance facilitated the incident. The New Orleans police are conducting a massive manhunt to recapture the escapees.
Inmates Escape New Orleans Jail; Manhunt Underway
The prisoners reportedly absconded around midnight and were discovered missing during a headcount at 08:30 local time (13:30 GMT) Friday morning. One of the ten has since been apprehended.
“There’s no way for anyone to get out of this facility without assistance,” stated Sheriff Susan Hutson during a press conference, indicating a potential compromise within the facility’s staff.
Details of the Jailbreak
The sheriff’s office released images showing the method of escape, accompanied by taunting messages purportedly left by the escapees. One message read, “To Easy LoL.”
Recapture and Ongoing Search Efforts
One escapee was located in New Orleans’ French Quarter, according to law enforcement. The remaining nine are considered “armed and dangerous,” prompting an intensive manhunt, as reported by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Facial Recognition Aids Recapture
Louisiana State Police identified Kendall Myles, one of the escapees, in central New Orleans using facial recognition technology after he was captured on surveillance footage.
He attempted to flee on foot but was eventually found hiding beneath a vehicle in a parking structure, according to police reports.
He was returned to the Orleans Parish Jail and “is being rebooked at the facility for a new charge of Simple Escape,” according to an official statement.
The New Orleans Police Department shared the names and photographs of the remaining escapees on X.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office initially reported 11 escaped prisoners but later revised the figure to 10 on Friday.
How the Inmates Escaped
Sheriff Hutson explained that the inmates dislodged the sliding door from their jail cell at 00:23 Friday morning (05:23 GMT).
Approximately thirty minutes later, they exited the jail after:
- Removing a toilet from the wall.
- Dismantling metal bars surrounding a piping access point in the wall.
They subsequently climbed down a wall and crossed a highway, according to the sheriff.
Evidence and Messages Left Behind
The sheriff’s office released images displaying the breach in the wall, showing the piping fixture before the toilet was removed. The images highlight “clean cuts” on the metal bars, which aided in the escape.
The photos also reveal messages on the wall, seemingly left by the inmates.
Law Enforcement Response and Public Appeal
The photos depict messages written in pen, including “To Easy LoL” alongside an arrow pointing to the hole. A smiley face with its tongue out is also present, along with a partially smudged message seemingly challenging officers to capture them.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the prisoner escape as an “urgent and serious situation” and urged the public to report any suspicious activity.
Concerns and Additional Support
Chief Kirkpatrick stated that victims connected to some of the escapees have been informed, noting that several face charges including murder and other violent crimes.
Supt Kirkpatrick suggested the inmates likely received assistance, noting that they are probably no longer wearing prison uniforms. She warned that anyone found aiding the inmates will face charges.
The FBI and US Marshals have joined local police in the ongoing search efforts.
Location of the Jail
The Orleans Parish Jail is situated near the city center, approximately 3 km (2 miles) from the renowned French Quarter.