Investigators say the release of 21-year-old Taaqi Brown was due to human error. According to police, Brown shares a similar name and description to another man due for release, and was mistakenly handed discharge papers and set free around 10:00 p.m. Monday. Upper Darby Superintendant Michael Chitwood was alerted of the mixup around 11:30 p.m.
Police say Brown drove off with his girlfriend in her black SUV.
Authorities released Brown's last known address and contacted his family in hopes of leads on his location. He later turned himself in at the 35th police district headquarters, located at the intersection of Broad and Champlost Streets in Philadelphia. He was accompanied by his father.
Delaware County District Attorney Mike Green says although it was a paperwork error that led to Brown's release, he will be charged with escape because he did not alert prison officials about the mixup.
Brown was awaiting trial for the 2009 murder of Aaron Kearney. Police say Brown mistakenly gunned down Kearney on May 2nd of last year when Brown opened fire on a crowd of people who were on an Upper Darby street.
Investigators say Brown's intended target was one of Kearney's friends. Officers say the friend has not cooperated in the murder investigation.
If convicted on all charges, Brown faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Upper Darby Township Police, Philadelphia Police and the Fugitive Task Force were involved in the search effort.
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(Information provided by The Associated Press was used in this story.)
