Staff at the River Bend Detention Center made a grim discovery just after 1:20 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026 eight inmates were missing from their cells. What started as a late-night head count quickly turned into a full-scale manhunt across northeast Louisiana and neighboring states.
Early radio traffic and first responder reports mentioned six escapees. Louisiana State Police later confirmed the total had climbed to eight. Three have already been taken back into custody. Five remain at large and authorities are treating every one of them as armed and dangerous.
A tweet from X.
The five still on the run:
- Destin Brogan, 22 – awaiting trial on second-degree murder (East Baton Rouge Parish)
- Kevin Slaughter, 25 – state Department of Corrections inmate, prior aggravated assault with a firearm
- Kolin Looney, 21 – facing second-degree murder charges in Lafayette Parish
- Krisean Salinas, 21 – multiple parishes, aggravated flight, theft, reckless operation
- Koplelon (Kopelon) Vicknair, 19–20 – pleaded guilty to manslaughter, awaiting sentencing
The three already recaptured: Savon Wheeler, 31; Hugo Molino, 27 (accused of beating his roommate to death); and Trenton Taplin, 29 (first-degree murder and attempted murder charges).
Officials have not released any details on the method of escape.
“We are investigating every aspect of facility security,”
East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said in a brief statement. A stolen bus believed connected to the breakout was later recovered in Lake Village, Arkansas.
Louisiana State Police Troop F issued the same message across every channel:
“Do not approach these individuals. They are considered violent offenders. Call 911 immediately if you see them.”
Tip lines are open 24/7:
- LSP Troop F: 318-345-0000
- East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office: 318-559-2800
- Anonymous LSP Fusion Center: 1-800-434-8007
River Bend has been here before. Between 2022 and 2024, one inmate, Derrick Smith, escaped four separate times through the same tunnel under the perimeter fence. The facility, which holds both pretrial detainees and state prisoners, sits in a rural parish of roughly 7,000 people with chronic staffing shortages and aging infrastructure.
Local Facebook groups and X threads flipped between dark humor memes of the quick recaptures and genuine fear from residents who live minutes from the jail line.
“My kids walk to the corner store,”
One Lake Providence mother posted.
“We just want them back in custody.”
The joint search effort by the Louisiana State Police, East Carroll deputies, and help from Arkansas and Mississippi is ongoing. There are no new crimes associated with the escapees as of Friday afternoon.
This is a rapidly developing situation. Only official sources should be checked. Lives are on the line, and the next 24 hours will be crucial.
