Louisiana jail break: two recaptured/neutralized, manhunt continues for third
Three inmates escaped a Louisiana jail after removing mortar and concrete blocks from a degraded outer wall, scaling down with sheets and lowering themselves to the ground. Johnathan Jevon Joseph was captured after a foot chase, Joseph Allen Harrington died by suicide during a police standoff, and 24-year-old Keith Eli — charged with attempted second-degree murder — remains at large as a manhunt continues; three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
📌 Key Facts
- Three inmates escaped by removing mortar and concrete blocks from a jail wall, then using sheets to scale the outer wall, drop to a first-floor roof and lower themselves to the ground.
- The sheriff's office said the incident will be investigated internally; three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending a comprehensive report. Maj. Mark LeBlanc called the escapees "a little more creative than in years past."
- Escapee Johnathan Jevon Joseph was captured after a foot chase and surrendered near a storage shed.
- Joseph Allen Harrington was located after a tip that he was seen pushing a black e-bike; an officer later found the e-bike at a nearby home. Authorities called to him by loudspeaker before hearing a gunshot, and he was found dead inside from a self-inflicted wound with a hunting rifle during a police standoff in Port Barre.
- The remaining fugitive is identified as 24-year-old Keith Eli, who is charged with attempted second-degree murder; a manhunt is ongoing and authorities have urged him to surrender peacefully.
📰 Sources (3)
Louisiana manhunt continues as dangerous inmate charged with attempted murder remains on the run
New information:
- Authorities captured escapee Johnathan Jevon Joseph after a foot chase; he surrendered near a storage shed.
- The remaining fugitive is identified as Keith Eli, 24, charged with attempted second-degree murder; sheriff urges a peaceful surrender.
- Escapee Joseph Allen Harrington died by suicide with a hunting rifle during a police standoff in Port Barre.
- Three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and comprehensive report.
Louisiana inmates on the run after escaping by breaking through degrading jail wall
New information:
- Tip led police to Joseph Allen Harrington after he was seen pushing a black e-bike; an officer later found the e-bike at a nearby home.
- Police used a loudspeaker to call Harrington out before hearing a gunshot; he was found dead inside from a self-inflicted wound with a hunting rifle.
- Sheriff’s detailed sequence: inmates removed mortar and concrete blocks, used sheets to scale the outer wall, dropped to a first-floor roof, then lowered themselves to the ground.
- Maj. Mark LeBlanc said the incident will be investigated internally and described the escapees as "a little more creative than in years past."