Escaped Mississippi inmate taken into custody after hourslong standoff in Chicago

HERNANDO, Miss. (WGN) – An escaped Mississippi inmate was in custody Wednesday after an hourslong standoff with U.S. Marshals near Chicago’s United Center, where the Democratic National Convention is being held.

The DeSoto County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday night that escaped inmate Joshua Zimmerman was barricaded inside a restaurant in Chicago and surrounded by U.S. Marshals.

After over 12 hours, Zimmerman was taken into custody around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

District Attorney Matthew Barton told Nexstar’s WREG what happened before Zimmerman even got to the courtroom.

“So, I’ve actually I’ve seen a video from inside the courthouse,” Barton said. “They came inside the courthouse. They’re going upstairs to the courtroom. He’s wearing shackles and a jumpsuit like everybody else. He broke from the line (and) went through a door. Sometime later, he left the courthouse with no shackles and street clothes.”

The U.S. Marshals’ Office and DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office each offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

No further details have been released.