Law enforcement officials in Louisiana are engaged in an intensive manhunt for the final member of a trio of inmates who staged a daring escape from a parish jail last week. The breakout, which involved removing deteriorating concrete blocks from a cell wall, has left one inmate dead, another in custody, and a third still on the run.
The Jailbreak and Immediate Aftermath
Three men managed to flee the St Landry Parish jail in Opelousas after discovering a weak section of an upper wall. Over a period of time, the inmates worked to remove the mortar holding concrete blocks together, creating a hole large enough to slip through. Once out of their cell, they used bedsheets to scale the facility's outer wall, drop onto a roof, and lower themselves to the ground.
The escape was discovered on Wednesday, prompting a multi-agency search across southwestern Louisiana. Opelousas is located approximately 140 miles (225km) northwest of New Orleans. Sheriff Bobby J Guidroz, who oversees the jail, confirmed the method of escape and stated an internal investigation would be conducted into the security failure.
Fate of the Fugitives
The situation for the three escapees has developed rapidly since their disappearance. Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, was found by police at a residence on Thursday. After authorities used a loudspeaker to urge him to surrender, the Port Barre police chief, Deon Boudreaux, reported that Harrington died by suicide using a hunting rifle. Harrington had been facing several felony charges, including home invasion.
Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, was captured on Friday following a brief chase. Investigators acting on a tip found Joseph, who was jailed on rape and other charges, hiding in a home. He fled to a nearby storage shed but surrendered when cornered by officers.
Ongoing Search for Keith Eli
As of Sunday, the search remains focused on Keith Eli, a 24-year-old who had been jailed on a charge of second-degree murder. Detectives and special tactical officers are actively pursuing leads. Major Mark LeBlanc, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, confirmed Eli is still at large.
In a public statement, Sheriff Guidroz appealed for a peaceful resolution: "We would prefer that he surrender himself peaceably, but we will not rest until he is captured." The statement underscores the determination of local authorities to apprehend the final escapee.
A Troubling Pattern for Louisiana
This incident marks the second significant jail escape in Louisiana this year. In May, ten inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail by crawling through a hole behind a toilet, leaving a taunting note. The recapture of all those individuals took authorities five months and involved a multi-state search, amid public finger-pointing over responsibility for the security lapse.
The repeated breaches have raised serious questions about the condition and security of correctional facilities in the state. The St Landry Parish escape, facilitated by a "degrading" wall, highlights potential issues with infrastructure maintenance. As the search for Keith Eli continues, the focus is split between immediate apprehension and the longer-term implications for jail security across Louisiana.
