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One Inmate Recaptured, One Dead After Louisiana Jail Escape; Manhunt Continues for Third

2025-12-07

The BareStory

Three inmates escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail in Louisiana on Wednesday by breaking through a deteriorating wall, according to officials. The men reportedly used sheets and other materials to scale an exterior wall, get onto a roof, and lower themselves to the ground. One of the men has since been taken into custody, one is dead, and a search is ongoing for the third.

Authorities located one of the escapees, 26-year-old Joseph Harrington, on Thursday after receiving a tip. The Port Barre Police Chief stated that as officers were trying to persuade Harrington to exit a building, they heard a gunshot. Harrington was reportedly found to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a hunting rifle. The same day, 24-year-old Jonathan Joseph was captured after a tip led deputies to a home where he was hiding. Sheriff's officials said he surrendered after a foot chase.

A manhunt continues for the third inmate, 24-year-old Keith Eli. According to the sheriff's office, Eli faces a charge of attempted second-degree murder. Authorities have warned the public not to approach him. Records from the sheriff's office reportedly show that prior to the escape, Joseph faced a charge of principal to first-degree rape, while Harrington faced nine felony charges, including home invasion.

In response to the incident, St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz has launched an internal investigation. A spokesperson for the sheriff's department warned residents to secure their homes and vehicles and stated that anyone who aided the escapees would be prosecuted.

Left Perspective

  • A manhunt is underway for the remaining escaped inmate.
  • One escapee has been captured and another is deceased.
  • Officials have launched an investigation and issued public warnings.

Right Perspective

  • The escape was facilitated by a structural failure at the jail.
  • The escaped inmates faced serious felony charges prior to the incident.
  • Locating the escapees has depended on tips from the public.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• An inmate charged with attempted murder remains at large, prompting officials to warn the public not to approach him and to secure homes and vehicles.

• This escape, caused by a deteriorating jail wall, has launched an internal investigation that could lead to broader reviews of correctional facility infrastructure and security.

• The reliance on public tips to locate two inmates underscores the critical role community information plays in law enforcement operations following security breaches at jails.

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