Two inmates accused of violent crimes, including second-degree attempted murder, are on the run after escaping from a south-western Louisiana jail on Wednesday. The escape involved removing pieces of a deteriorating interior wall and using sheets to scale an outside wall, officials said.
The three-person escape took place at the St Landry Parish Jail in Opelousas, about 130 miles north-west of New Orleans. Sheriff Bobby J Guidroz said the inmates discovered a degrading part of an upper wall and removed mortar to allow them to remove concrete blocks and exit. They then used sheets and other items to scale the outer wall and lower themselves to the ground.
The two escaped inmates still at large are Keith Eli, 24, facing a second-degree attempted murder charge, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, facing several charges including principal to first-degree rape. The third escapee, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, died by suicide after being tracked down by police.
Police chief Deon Boudreaux said a tipster recognised Harrington pushing a black e-bike, and an officer later spotted the bike at a nearby home. After police urged Harrington to come out, they heard a gunshot and found him dead inside with a hunting rifle.
This is the second bold jail escape in Louisiana in a year. In May, 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail after crawling through a hole behind a toilet; all were recaptured five months later. Sheriff's spokesperson Maj Mark LeBlanc said there is no credible indication the fugitives have left the parish, and warned residents to secure their homes and vehicles.
