
Derrick Groves Finally Captured After Months on the Run
The hunt is finally over. According to Brian Fair with the U.S. Marshals, Derrick Groves, the last remaining inmate from the New Orleans jail escape, was captured after a tense standoff in Southwest Atlanta. He was cornered near the intersection of Campbellton Road and Honeysuckle Lane, ending a nearly five-month manhunt that had law enforcement on edge across state lines.
Back in May, Groves made a daring break from the Orleans Parish jail along with nine other inmates. While the rest were caught within weeks, Groves stayed off the radar—moving from city to city like a ghost until his luck finally ran out.
Officials say Groves was considered “extremely dangerous”, given his violent past and the nature of his conviction. The 27-year-old wasn’t just another escapee—he was convicted of a brutal double murder on Mardi Gras 2018, a crime that shook the heart of New Orleans during what should’ve been a day of celebration.
How the New Orleans Jailbreak Unfolded
It all started on May 16, when ten inmates from the Orleans Parish jail managed to slip past security and vanish into the streets. Authorities immediately launched an all-hands-on-deck search, but the group scattered fast.
Groves’ escape wasn’t some random stroke of luck—it was reportedly a coordinated effort involving inside help and outside resources.
The other nine inmates—Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Gary Price, D’Kenan Dennis, Corey Boyd, Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Leo Tate, and Antoine Massey—were eventually tracked down and recaptured, leaving Groves as the final fugitive standing.
Local residents say the breakout created an atmosphere of fear and disbelief. “How do ten people walk out of a locked facility like that?” one witness questioned. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has yet to fully explain the security lapse, but sources confirm an internal investigation is ongoing.
Who Is Derrick Groves? From Mardi Gras Celebration to Murder Conviction
Groves’ name first made headlines in 2018, when he was accused of opening fire during a Mardi Gras family gathering, killing two men and wounding two others. According to prosecutors, he and other gunmen “opened fire with AK-47-style rifles on what should have been a joyous Mardi Gras family gathering.”
The shooting left the city stunned. In a statement at the time, the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office said Groves’ crime represented “the kind of reckless disregard for life that tears communities apart.” He was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, crimes that guaranteed him a life sentence.
Even behind bars, Groves was said to maintain a reputation for manipulation and aggression. His escape only confirmed what many already believed: he was dangerous, unpredictable, and determined to avoid accountability.
Atlanta Standoff Brings the Manhunt to an End
When law enforcement finally tracked Groves to a residence in Atlanta, they weren’t taking chances. The U.S. Marshals surrounded the property, creating a standoff that lasted several hours before Groves was taken into custody.