A manhunt involving over a dozen law enforcement agencies entered its third day on Sunday. The agencies are in search of seven men, out of an initial group of ten, who made a daring escape from a New Orleans jail by exploiting a hole behind a toilet.
According to reliable sources from the Louisiana State Police, the seven escapees are still at large. However, due to security concerns, the agency was unable to provide detailed information about the scope and target of the ongoing investigation. A multiagency task force is reported to be conducting a widespread search in the region for the remaining fugitives.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill reaffirmed in a separate statement that the main focus is the retrieval of the escaped prisoners, ensuring public safety, and maintaining the stability of the jail staff and facility.
This development follows earlier reports that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry scheduled a news conference with law enforcement agencies to provide an update on the search. Meanwhile, reports indicate that one escaped inmate was captured due to a tip-off from the public.
The fugitives, whose ages range from 19 to 42, are facing a variety of charges, including aggravated assault, domestic abuse battery, and murder. Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick of the New Orleans Police Department has warned the public that the fugitives are dangerous, but also urged citizens not to panic.
In a final twist, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has indicated that the escape was made possible by faulty locks at the Orleans Justice Center. She expressed her longstanding concerns about the condition of the locks and advocated for funding to rectify the aged infrastructure.
