Law enforcement officials are searching for seven fugitives after 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail on Friday. Officials have suggested that the prison break could have been an “inside job.”
According to Fox News, the seven fugitives who remain at large after escaping from Orleans Parish Jail on Friday include suspects who have been charged with murder, burglary, and domestic abuse. The outlet noted that law enforcement officials have indicated that they have “strong” and “active” leads on the missing fugitives.
Fox News reported that law enforcement officials have noted that some of the missing fugitives may have escaped from New Orleans and from the state of Louisiana.
According to Fox News, the seven missing fugitives have been identified as 19-year-old Corey Boyd, 21-year-old Gary Price, 27-year-old Derrick Groves, 27-year-old Lenton Vanburen, 31-year-old Leo Tate, 33-year-old Antoine Massey, and 42-year-old Jermaine Donald.
Law enforcement officials have already arrested three of the 10 prisoners who escaped from New Orleans on Friday, including 20-year-old Kendall Myles, 21-year-old Robert Moody, and 24-year-old Dkenan Dennis.
According to Fox News, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson suggested on Friday that it was unlikely that the prisoners could have escaped from the jail without help.
In a post on X, Attorney General Liz Murrill (R-La.) said, “Someone clearly dropped the ball and there’s no excuse for this.” She added, “This is beyond unacceptable, and once these offenders are back in custody, there must be real accountability.”
Fox News reported that three jail employees were suspended pending an investigation into Friday’s jail break.
According to Fox News, the fugitives escaped through a large hole that appears to have been hidden behind a toilet in a jail cell on the first floor of the prison. The outlet noted that law enforcement officials discovered multiple messages, including “To Easy LOL” and WE INNOCENT,” that were left by the missing prisoners.
While authorities have not yet confirmed whether the prisoners created the hole in the jail cell or whether it was already there prior to Friday’s escape, Orleans Justice Center Chief of Corrections Jeworski Mallett said, “We know that this could not be removed from the inside, so we are investigating that to see exactly who entered these areas, what kind of work was done, if there was work being done and if this is an inside job.”
A video shared on social media shows the prisoners during Friday’s escape.
Pictures shared by The New York Post show the hole used in Friday’s escape, one of the prisoners recaptured by police officials, and the mugshots of the missing fugitives.
