In a shocking turn of events, a murder suspect, Kevin Mason, was accidentally released from jail just two days after being locked up, sparking a frantic manhunt across Indiana. Mason, 28, had been on the run for two years before his arrest earlier this month on multiple warrants, including the 2021 shooting death of a 29-year-old man in Minnesota, parole violation, and firearms possession.

The Marion County detention center in Indianapolis was responsible for the mishap, as inmate clerks made a booking error that led to Mason's release. According to Sheriff's Col. James Martin, a clerk mistakenly removed two holds on Mason's file, believing it to be a duplicate booking. Another clerk in Minnesota also failed to notice the error the following day and lifted the final hold, allowing Mason to walk free.

"This was an error. This should have not happened. Mason should not have been released from our custody. This was discovered shortly after he was released," Martin expressed during a press conference. Two inmate clerks have since been fired over the major blunder.

The consequences of this mistake have left the victim's family devastated. Dontevius Ahmad Catchings' sister, Shannell Catchings, expressed her frustration, stating, "For 27 months I've been trying to get some type of justice, and then now I just feel like we're back at square one. I just felt like not only is it Indiana's fault, I feel like it's Minnesota's fault as well."

Authorities, who initially kept Mason's accidental release quiet for tactical reasons, are now engaged in a massive manhunt to bring him back into custody. Investigators fear that Mason may have fled the state with the assistance of others. "We believe that he is pretty good at what he does. We believe that someone, or obviously he has others financing him and helping aid him during this time," Martin disclosed.

Describing Mason's physical appearance, authorities have shared that he is 5 feet 9 inches tall and has distinctive tattoos, including a cross under his right eye, “SUB” on his chest, and an unidentified tattoo on his neck. The U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are working tirelessly to locate and apprehend him.

Martin reassured the public that there is no immediate threat to their safety but urged them to contact Crime Stoppers or 911 if they have any information or spot Mason. "I also want to assure the public we will not rest until he's captured," Martin vowed.

As the manhunt intensifies, the grave error made by the inmate clerks continues to haunt law enforcement agencies. The consequences of this mistake highlight the importance of stringent protocols and vigilant oversight in the criminal justice system to prevent such mishaps from occurring in the future.