New Orleans Police Department superintendent discusses mistaken prisoner release incident

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick held a news conference to discuss a mistaken prisoner release incident on Friday, July 25.

NOPD officials said Kirkpatrick will “address an incident involving the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in which a prisoner was mistakenly released from custody.”

According to the OPSO, 30-year-old Khalil Bryan was mistakenly released due to a clerical error. They said his incorrect release was “due to a misidentification between two individuals with a similar last name.”

OPSO officials said Bryan faces non-violent and violent charges, including illegal possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. Deputies said he also has an active warrant from Criminal District Court Section H for aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse child endangerment and home invasion.

He was reportedly also being held as part of a warrant in Jefferson Parish.

OPSO officials said the victims have been notified, as well as the NOPD, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and the presiding judge.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson issued the following statement:

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office takes full responsibility for the clerical error that led to the mistaken release of Khalil Bryan, and we offer our sincere apology to the public, our law enforcement partners, and the court. This incident was the result of human error: a misidentification based on a shared last name between two individuals. We are currently conducting a full internal investigation, and I can confirm that disciplinary actions will occur. Mr. Bryan is facing violent and non-violent charges, and we are coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure his swift return to custody. Most importantly, the victims in these matters have been notified. We are implementing safeguards to prevent this from happening again. Public safety remains our highest priority.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson

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