Authorities searched Tuesday for two inmates — one accused of killing four people — who were gone from a Philadelphia prison for nearly 19 hours before officials knew they were missing.
Ameen Hurst, 18, and Nasir Grant, 24, escaped from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, part of the city’s jail complex on State Road in the Northeast, at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday by cutting a hole in a fence surrounding a recreation yard, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons said.
Headcounts conducted at 11 p.m. Sunday, 3 a.m. Monday, and 7 a.m. Monday reportedly showed that all prisoners were accounted for, said Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney. The facility became aware of the escaped inmates at about 3 p.m. Monday, Carney said.
“We have protocols in place and those protocols were not followed,” Carney said. “That yard should have been secured, and the fence not breached.”
Mayor Jim Kenney said at a news conference Monday evening that they want to find out exactly what happened.
“Clearly the system screwed up and people didn’t do what what they’re supposed to do,” Kenney said.
Hurst was arrested in March 2021. He’s accused of shooting and killing a man on Christmas Eve 2020, said Frank Vanore, Philadelphia police deputy commissioner of investigations. The other three shootings happened in March 2021.
“He’s a very dangerous individual from what we know, and we are looking for the public’s help to get him back,” Vanore said at the news conference.
District Attorney Larry Krasner, in a statement Tuesday afternoon, said his office is in contact with the families of the victims involved in Hurst’s homicide cases, as well as witnesses expected to testify at his trials.
“The safety of victims and witnesses who may be at risk of intimidation or retaliation is of the highest importance to our prosecutors and to the DA’s Victim Support Services Division,” he added.
Grant was being held on conspiracy drug charges and conspiracy weapons charges, Blanche said. The inmates were housed in the same unit, but different cells, she said.
The U.S. Marshals Service is leading search efforts for the two men, and a police spokesperson said the PPD’s Northeast Detective Division is coordinating with the federal agency.
A reward of $20,000 is being offered by the city, and the U.S. Marshals have posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of either fugitive.
Police encourage anyone who encounters Grant or Hurst not to approach them and call 911. Residents with information about their whereabouts can also call or text 215-686-8477; call the U.S. Marshals at 1-800-336-0102; or submit a tip at phillypolice.com/forms/submit-a-tip.
Metro reporter Jack Tomczuk contributed to this article.
