11 Inmates Escape From Orleans Parish Jail in Louisiana

Eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, during the early hours of May 16—and authorities stated they should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

11 Inmates Escape from Louisiana Jail in “Unacceptable” Breach

Multiple inmates are on the run.

During the early hours of May 16, 11 inmates made their escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center, authorities confirmed to NBC News, the city’s main detention facility for pretrial detainees located just a few miles away from the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.

According to Sheriff Susan Hutson, as stated during a news conference that afternoon, officials noticed that the group of adult men were missing during a routine headcount around 8:30 a.m. And while it wasn’t specified how they escaped, authorities have deemed their disappearance a “very serious and unacceptable situation.”

Emphasizing the severity of the situation, Christopher Goodly, Deputy Chief of Field Operations for the Orleans Parish Sherrif’s Office, added that the inmates should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Indeed, according to jail records obtained by NBC News, at least four of the men that escaped have been charged with murder. Meanwhile, the other inmates’ records detail charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, armed false imprisonment, battery and drug offenses.

“We’re actively working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in a full-scale search operation,” Hutson continued, confirming that a “coordinated response” has been launched by local authorities. “We are urging the public to remain alert.”

After all, in the hours after the escapees were declared missing, state police have only shared that they have apprehended one of them—while 10 potentially dangerous men remain at large.

“Troop NOLA Troopers located escapee Kendall Myles in the French Quarter this morning,” Louisiana State Police wrote in a social media statement alongside a photo of Myles in the back of a police car. “After a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended on Royal Street.”

New Orleans Police / X

“Troopers continue working with partners to locate the remaining escapees,” the statement continued, “and ensure public safety.”

And in the meantime, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirpatrick has stated during a press conference, per ABC News, that “a group of people” that were believed to be victims of the inmates have been removed from their homes and “taken to safety” as an added precaution.

“We don’t want panic,” she added, “but we do want people to be mindful.”

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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