CNN Profiles - Melissa Alonso - National News Editor | CNN

Melissa Alonso - National News Editor

Melissa Alonso

National News Editor

Melissa Alonso is a National News Editor based out out of CNN's headquarters in Atlanta.

CNN Expansion, Mel Alonso

CNN Expansion, Mel Alonso

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#NEWS: IL/MS: Escaped inmate wanted for murder in Mississippi barricaded in Chicago restaurant less than a mile from DNC

From CNN's Melissa Alonso

An escaped inmate, who has been on the run from a Mississippi courthouse for over two months, barricaded himself in a Chicago restaurant Tuesday— a few blocks from the Democratic National Convention venue.

Joshua Zimmerman, 30, has been at large for 68 days since escaping from a DeSoto County, Mississippi courthouse, according to DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Justin Smith.

Zimmerman is "wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for murder, escape and armed robbery," the agency's website says.

On Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff's office "received information from the United States Marshall service that they located Zimmerman in a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois," Smith said during a Tuesday evening briefing.

Zimmerman is currently barricaded inside a restaurant in Chicago, surrounded by the Chicago SWAT team, Smith said.

"It's an ongoing event," according to Smith.

Video from CNN affiliate WBBM of the barricaded scene shows Chicago SWAT outside a West Side restaurant.

Zimmerman is in the restaurant alone and no civilians are at risk, according to Smith.

It's unclear how Zimmerman got to Chicago, Chief Deputy Smith said.

The sheriff's office plans to interview Zimmerman to gather more facts about his escape once he is detained and extradited to Mississippi.

CNN has reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service for more information.

Sheriff briefing
MS# 20889632
Source WMC

Chicago barricaded scene
MS# 20889727
SOURCE: WBBM

DeSoto County Jail

A Mississippi inmate escaped, apparently found work at a Chicago restaurant and then barricaded himself there, officials say

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Handout/Jonesboro Police Department

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Melissa Alonso is a National News Editor based out of CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta. Before coming to CNN in 2019, Melissa was an assignment editor in Miami where she earned an Emmy Award for her role in team coverage of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas massacre. She also spent several years as a network producer for Spanish-language television.