11 inmates, including several murder suspects, escape from New Orleans jail in Louisiana

Eleven inmates considered "armed and dangerous" escaped a New Orleans jail Friday morning, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said. The convicts were discovered missing during a regular headcount at 8:30 a.m. at the Orleans Parish Jail, according to Sheriff Susan Hutson. They are suspected to have fled just after midnight.

According to jail records, at least four of the fugitive convicts face charges of murder or attempted murder. The others face charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, armed false imprisonment, violence, and narcotics crimes.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said one inmate has since been apprehended in downtown New Orleans through facial recognition, caught by a surveillance camera. The escapee was identified as Kendall Myles by Louisiana State Police, and he attempted to leave on foot before being caught "without further incident."

The rest of the escapees are believed to be in New Orleans, police said. The Orleans Parish Jail was in lockdown.

"A search for the individuals is currently underway, OPSO is working with local and state law enforcement agencies on the search to return them to custody," the Orleans Parish Sheriff's office said in a statement.

The sheriff's office urged the public to be on high alert for the missing convicts, who are believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone who thinks they might see an escaped inmate or know his whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers or 911 immediately.