Derrick Groves, the last remaining New Orleans jail escapee, captured after five-month manhunt

The last fugitive from a group of inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail earlier this year was apprehended following a standoff with law enforcement in Atlanta, officials reported.

Derrick Groves, aged 28, was taken into custody after the confrontation, according to Louisiana State Police (LSP).

In a statement to Fox News, the LSP noted, “Through a collaborative operation involving Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans, the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New Orleans Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, and various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Derrick Groves was captured on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, following a brief standoff.”

Groves, a convicted killer with four prior convictions, had evaded authorities for five months after escaping with nine other inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 16.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams expressed his concerns, stating, “I was really worried that someone with a history of double homicide and who was supposed to be in Angola would not surrender easily. There were genuine fears of potential loss of life, whether among civilians or law enforcement. We cannot credit Derrick Groves for this; rather, we should be thankful that he was taken into custody without anyone getting hurt.”

Williams mentioned that authorities will investigate any possible assistance Groves may have had while on the run, but he didn’t disclose how Groves managed to travel to Atlanta.

At the time of his escape, Groves was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, stemming from a 2024 conviction for a shooting at a Mardi Gras block party that resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries.

In addition to the nine escapees, several relatives and jail personnel have been taken into custody on suspicion of facilitating the escape.

Authorities have reported that the Orleans Justice Center was operating with only 60% of its staffing, where four supervisors and 36 staff members were responsible for monitoring 1,400 inmates at the time of the breakout.

Most of the escaped inmates were recaptured within weeks following their flight.

Darriana Burton, thought to be Groves’ girlfriend and a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, was arrested in June on allegations of assisting him in his escape.

According to an arrest affidavit, Burton allegedly facilitated communication between Groves and individuals outside of the jail and shared vital information regarding the escape.