Ten inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail by digging a hole behind a lavatory.
Officers launched a full-scale manhunt for the men, including a convicted murderer, who escaped from custody on Friday.
Authorities first noticed the 10 inmates were missing during a morning headcount. Initially, they said a total of 11 men had escaped but one feared to be on the road was found in a different cell.
One inmate was captured after a brief chase through the French Quarter, the Louisiana State Police said.
One of the fugitives, Derrick Groves was convicted on two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder last year for his role in the 2018 Mardi Gras Day shootings of two men.
Groves also left two other injured people “physically and emotionally scarred” from the shooting, according to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office, which described him as a “heinous criminal” in a news release.
He currently faces a charge of battery against a correctional facility employee.
Facility protocols to be reviewed
Corey Boyd, another escaped inmate, had pleaded not guilty to a pending second-degree murder charge.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said the department is actively working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to search for the escaped inmates.
“We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance and physical security measures,” Sheriff Hutson said.
“Any lapses or failures that contributed to this incident will be addressed swiftly and with full accountability.”
Investigators are focusing on an opening inside a cell through which at least one inmate is believed to have escaped into a maintenance corridor.
“That’s how they escaped,” an official told the Associated Press, adding investigators were reviewing surveillance footage that captured the jailbreak.
A photograph taken from inside the cell appears to show a hole behind a lavatory that has been ripped off the wall. The wall is covered in graffiti, including ones reading “F— OPSO”, referring to the Orleans parish sheriff’s office in charge of the jail, and “suck my d— OJC”.
The prisoners also left a note behind that said “2 easy lol”.
‘Beyond unacceptable’
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called the escape “beyond unacceptable” and said local authorities had waited too long to inform the public.
“Someone clearly dropped the ball and there’s no excuse for this,” Ms Murrill said in an emailed statement. “My office will do whatever it takes to determine how this happened and make sure that it won’t happen again.”
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said her agency has put “a full court effort” to respond to the escape and are working with the FBI and US marshals.
“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,” she said.
Officers were focused on identifying and providing protection for individuals who may have testified in their cases or may be in danger. One family has been “removed” from their home, Supt Kirkpatrick said.
“If there is anyone helping or harbouring these escapees, you will be charged,” Supt Kirkpatrick added.