Authorities in Louisiana are scrambling to track down nine inmates who remain at large after a brazen overnight escape from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, where 10 men broke out by crawling through a hole behind a toilet and scaling a wall, officials confirmed Friday.
The breakout was discovered during a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. on May 16—more than seven hours after the men had fled the jail. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson initially said at a morning briefing that 11 inmates were missing, but later clarified that one of the men was mistakenly counted among the escapees and had been in a different cell.
“We do acknowledge there is no way people can get out of this facility without there being some type of lapse in security,” Hutson said of the jail, where she says 1,400 people are being held. “It’s almost impossible, not completely, but almost impossible for anybody to get out of this facility without help.”
Hutson said surveillance footage shows the escapees breaching a wall behind a toilet around 1 a.m., exiting through a loading dock door, scaling a perimeter wall, and running across an interstate highway. She added that her office had repeatedly raised concerns about faulty infrastructure—particularly the locks—and had recently requested additional funding to address the issue.
One of the fugitives, Kendell Myles—who had been charged with attempted second-degree murder—was captured after a brief foot chase through the French Quarter.
The remaining escapees face a variety of serious charges, including aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment, and murder.
Hutson said a full-scale investigation is underway to determine how the inmates managed to escape the jail.
“We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance, and physical security measures,” Hutson said. “Any lapses or failures that contributed to this incident will be addressed swiftly and with full accountability.”
The sheriff’s office is coordinating with local police, state troopers, U.S. marshals, and the FBI as the search intensifies. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department said her agency has launched “a full court effort” to support the manhunt and warned that the escapees likely received outside help.
“It’s more than likely that someone had help, and they are not running around in a jumpsuit—but if they are, you’re going to stand out,” Kirkpatrick said. She also confirmed that police have already removed one family from their home out of precaution and are providing protection to individuals who may be at risk due to prior involvement in the inmates’ cases.
“If there is anyone helping or harboring these escapees, you will be charged,” she said.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill criticized the authorities for failing to promptly alert the public.
Murrill called for a full investigation and pledged that “real accountability” must follow once all escapees are back in custody.
