Last Man Standing: Derrick Groves Becomes Focus After 9 of 10 Orleans Inmates Recaptured [PHOTO]
Orleans Jailbreak Narrows to One: Groves Remains on the Run
After a dramatic jailbreak from Orleans Parish Prison on May 16, only one of the ten escaped inmates remains at large. That’s 28-year-old Derrick Groves. The final spotlight has now turned toward Groves, as his fellow escapee Antoine Massey was recaptured in New Orleans’ Hollygrove neighborhood on June 27. The public, law enforcement, and social media users alike are riveted by the unfolding saga. Therefore, dubbing Groves the “last man standing.”
In the wake of Massey’s recapture, Derrick Groves has become a trending topic. Especially in New Orleans, and the Greater Louisiana area, he is trending. Additionally, due to the national appeal of the story, people from all over the United States are commenting on it.
How the Escape Unfolded
At 12:23 a.m. CDT on May 16, ten inmates made their escape through a hole behind a toilet in their cell. The plan, both crude and cunning, exploited faulty locks, unsupervised access, and a plumbing chase previously noted in federal oversight reports. Once through the breach, they scaled a wall and fled across I-10. Graffiti left above the escape route taunted staff with phrases like “To Easy LoL” and “We Innocent,” further inflaming public scrutiny.
The escape went unnoticed until the 8:30 a.m. headcount—more than seven hours later. Since then, nine of the ten escapees have been recaptured through coordinated efforts between U.S. Marshals, the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and local agencies.
Who Is Derrick Groves?
Groves is no small-time offender. He was convicted in October 2024 of two counts of second-degree murder for a brutal 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting that killed Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson. That attack left over 70 shell casings at the scene and wounded three others. Groves was sentenced to life without parole.
His history with violence didn’t begin there. He’s connected to additional homicides in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, including the 2017 murder of Woodrow Smith and the 2019 killing of Tyrone Francis. His criminal record, combined with his ability to evade capture, has elevated the urgency of the manhunt.
Groves also comes from a family marked by tragedy. He is the grandson of Kim Groves, who was assassinated in 1994 by hitmen at the direction of corrupt NOPD officer Len Davis. The incident was one of the most high-profile examples of police corruption in New Orleans history.
Outside Help and Inside Jobs
The May 16 jailbreak has raised serious concerns about the security and oversight at the Orleans Justice Center. Authorities suspect inside help. In the days following the escape, one jail maintenance worker was arrested for allegedly turning off the water to facilitate the escape. Three other employees were suspended without pay.
Altogether, 13 people have been arrested in connection with aiding the escape: one jail employee, one inmate, and 11 outside acquaintances.
Among those arrested was Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton. She is a former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. Burton was taken into custody on June 9. Therefore, accused of picking up Groves after the escape and transporting another inmate, Lenton Vanburen, to a relative’s house. She remains in jail on a $2.5 million bond.
Antoine Massey’s Recapture
Groves’ rising notoriety stems in part from the capture of fellow escapee Antoine Massey. The 33-year-old was caught on June 27 at an Airbnb in New Orleans’ Third District following a Crime Stoppers tip. Massey had a history of breaking ankle monitors and had even attempted a jailbreak back in 2007.
Massey’s arrest marked a turning point in the six-week-long manhunt, and now the pressure is squarely on locating Groves. With nine recaptures and only one fugitive remaining, officials hope to close this dark chapter soon.
X Reactions: Memes, Theories, and “Last Man Standing” Jokes
Social media has latched onto the Groves story with a mix of humor, intrigue, and alarm. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reveal a cultural fascination with his ability to evade law enforcement for over 40 days.
User @Southside_Gunn posted, “Derrick Groves is still on the run. He’s not getting caught. He’s definitely in Mexico by now.” Meanwhile, @razrbam joked, “This guy better be in Russia,” and @OnCallStepDadd1 wrote, “Buddy is in Mexico just vibing,” paired with a photo.
Others were more reflective. @ImaPlainJane tweeted, “Derrick Groves has not been seen or heard from since his escape. Before I root for him, lemme see what he was locked up for lol.”
Some posted old videos of Groves, including a freestyle clip shared by @mymixtapez: “Old video of Derrick Groves surfaces, driving while spitting a freestyle!! He remains on the run after escaping New Orleans jail last week.”
And then there’s the meta-commentary. @Jubslubslams predicted on May 27, “I still believe Derrick Groves will be the last man standing,” weeks before that prediction became a viral headline.
Systemic Failures Exposed
The escape has shed light on long-standing issues with the Orleans Justice Center. Built in 2015 for $150 million to replace the scandal-ridden Orleans Parish Prison, the facility was supposed to represent a turning point.
Instead, it’s become a symbol of failed reform. Since 2013, the jail has operated under a federal consent decree, mandating systemic changes following years of reported abuse, mismanagement, and unsanitary conditions. Internal escapes have increased in recent years, and the latest breach has prompted a flurry of security upgrades, including the installation of new razor wire and enhanced locking mechanisms.
Court records and reform monitors have repeatedly documented staff shortages, faulty equipment, and dangerous housing of mentally ill inmates. Sheriff Susan Hutson has acknowledged the depth of the problem, calling the escape “almost impossible” without insider assistance.
What Happens Next?
As of June 28, Derrick Groves has not been seen since he appeared on surveillance walking along Baronne Street in New Orleans’ Central Business District. Authorities have not confirmed any new sightings, and the trail appears to have gone cold.
With a $50,000 reward still on the table and national attention growing, law enforcement continues to pursue every lead. But as each day passes, public fascination grows stronger—and so does the mythos of the “last man standing.”
Conclusion: The Fugitive vs. the System
Derrick Groves’ continued evasion has captured national attention not just because of the manhunt, but because of what it reveals. The Orleans Justice Center—meant to be a model of modern reform—has been exposed as alarmingly vulnerable. Groves is not a folk hero, but his status as the lone escapee remaining free has transformed him into a viral symbol of both the system’s failure and the unpredictable power of social media.
This story, already unfolding with twists, high-profile arrests, and widespread online reaction, is far from over. With one man still on the run and a city under pressure to restore its credibility, all eyes remain on New Orleans—and on Derrick Groves.