A dramatic midnight escape from New Orleans' Orleans Parish Jail saw ten inmates, several facing serious charges, break free, raising suspicions of internal collusion. Authorities are currently engaged in a manhunt as one escapee has been recaptured.
Inside Job Suspected in New Orleans Jail Escape
Inside Job Suspected in New Orleans Jail Escape
Ten inmates, including murder suspects, flee Orleans Parish Jail with possible staff assistance; manhunt underway.
Ten prisoners, several charged with murder, executed a daring escape from the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, an incident that authorities suspect may have been facilitated by the facility's staff. The inmates broke free around midnight, and were discovered missing during a headcount conducted at 8:30 AM local time on Friday. As of now, one escapee has been recaptured.
Sheriff Susan Huston stated unequivocally, "There's no way for anyone to get out of this facility without help," during a press conference surrounding the event. Surveillance footage and a series of messages left by the escapees, one reading "To Easy LoL," have further complicated matters.
One escapee, Kendall Myles, was caught by police in the bustling French Quarter area of New Orleans after they recognized him via facial recognition technology from security footage. He attempted to evade capture by hiding underneath a car in a parking garage and was subsequently returned to jail, facing an additional charge of Simple Escape.
Initially, law enforcement reported that 11 prisoners had escaped, but upon further investigation, the figure was adjusted to 10. The inmates executed their daring exit by dislodging the sliding door from their cell at approximately 00:23 AM. They managed to leave the jail less than an hour later, after removing a toilet and breaking through metal bars that concealed a gap in the wall.
Photos released by the Sheriff's office illustrated the significant effort taken by the inmates, including a scrawled smiley face and taunts directed at law enforcement. New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick classified the escape as an "urgent and serious situation," urging residents to report any suspicious activities related to the escaped prisoners, some of whom are considered "armed and dangerous."
The investigation is ongoing, with local authorities receiving assistance from the FBI and US Marshals in the search for the remaining escapees. The Orleans Parish Jail is situated in close proximity to key local landmarks, making these developments even more pressing for law enforcement and the public alike.
