A desperate search is underway in northeast Louisiana after a daring jailbreak early Friday morning. Eight inmates, including individuals accused of horrific crimes, vanished from the Riverbend Detention Center, sparking a massive manhunt that has the region on edge.
The first alarm sounded at 1:20 a.m. when a headcount revealed the missing men. Authorities quickly classified all eight as “violent offenders,” raising the stakes and intensifying the urgency of the operation. The escape has triggered a widespread mobilization of law enforcement resources.
So far, three of the fugitives – Hugo Molino, Trenton Taplin, and Savon Wheeler – have been apprehended, but five remain at large. Destin Brogan, Kelin Looney, Krisean Salinas, Kevin Slaughter, and Koplelon Vicknair are now the focus of an exhaustive, region-wide pursuit.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the charges these men face. Taplin is accused of first-degree murder and attempted murder, while Brogan and Looney are both charged with second-degree murder. The stakes are incredibly high, not just for law enforcement, but for the communities potentially in their path.
Koplelon Vicknair, authorities revealed, was awaiting sentencing for a homicide committed in 2023. The details surrounding his case, and the others, paint a chilling picture of the individuals now actively evading capture.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has pledged the full support of her office, including the deployment of the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. She is actively monitoring the situation, working closely with the East Carroll Parish Sheriff and the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.
The Louisiana State Police Detectives–Monroe Field Office has taken the lead in the investigation, relieving the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office of primary search duties. While the sheriff’s office will continue to assist, the state police are now directing the effort to locate and apprehend the remaining fugitives.
Law enforcement is issuing a stark warning to the public: do not approach these individuals under any circumstances. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is urged to contact authorities immediately. The safety of the public is the paramount concern.
The method of escape remains shrouded in mystery. Authorities have released no details about how the inmates managed to breach security at the Riverbend Detention Center, leaving many questions unanswered. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the breakout is ongoing.
The search continues relentlessly, fueled by the determination to bring these dangerous individuals back into custody and restore a sense of security to the region. Every available resource is being deployed in this critical operation.
