A major manhunt is underway in New Orleans after ten inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish Jail early Friday morning, with authorities suspecting they may have received help from inside the facility.
The escape happened just after midnight but wasn’t discovered until 8:30 a.m. during a routine headcount. Only one of the escapees, Kendall Myles, has been captured so far. He was located in New Orleans’ French Quarter after being identified by facial recognition from security footage. Myles attempted to flee but was caught hiding under a car in a nearby parking garage.
Officials say the jailbreak was not a random act. The inmates managed to remove the sliding door of their cell, rip a toilet from the wall, and cut through metal bars that led to a narrow maintenance space. From there, they climbed down and escaped the building, running across a nearby highway. Photos released by the sheriff’s office showed the damage and graffiti left behind, including a mocking message that read “To Easy LoL” with an arrow pointing to the hole they crawled through.
Sheriff Susan Hutson emphasized the improbability of an escape without inside help, pointing out that the metal bars had clean cuts, suggesting the use of tools. She confirmed an internal investigation is now underway to determine whether staff aided the inmates.
The escapees include several individuals facing serious charges, including murder. Their names and photos have been made public, and authorities have warned the group is dangerous and likely no longer in prison uniforms. The public has been urged to report any sightings or suspicious activity.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the situation as extremely serious. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and US Marshals, have joined the search. Victims linked to the inmates have been notified of the escape, and police are preparing to charge anyone found to have assisted the fugitives.
Initially, authorities reported 11 inmates had escaped but later revised the number to ten. The Orleans Parish Jail, located just two miles from the city’s French Quarter, is now at the center of a growing investigation into security failures that allowed the escape to happen.
As the search continues, officials are facing mounting questions about how such a breach occurred in a high-security facility and what steps will be taken to prevent future incidents.