A manhunt for an alleged homicide suspect who escaped police custody while at a university hospital has continued for a second day.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. announced in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Christopher Haynes, 31, had escaped police custody at George Washington University Hospital after 3:30 p.m.
“31-year-old Christopher Haynes escaped custody at GW Hospital in 900 block of 23rd St NW at 3:38 p.m.,” the MPD wrote. “Do not engage, call 911 if spotted.”
ALERT: 31-year-old Christopher Haynes escaped custody at GW Hospital in 900 block of 23rd St NW at 3:38 p.m.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 6, 2023
He is described as a black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white suit with one red shoe. He is not handcuffed.
Do not engage, call 911 if spotted. pic.twitter.com/gFgPwJfXp4
Haynes was described as being a “black male with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white suit with one red shoe,” according to the MPD’s statement, which added that he was not handcuffed.
The escape of Haynes sent George Washington University into a shelter-in-place which wasn’t lifted until 8:15 p.m., according to NBC Washington.
“While the suspect has not been apprehended, he is not believed to be in our area,” GWU said. “Continue to use caution if you move around Foggy Bottom.”
Update: Police cleared the scene at 23rd Street near GW Hospital and departed. While the suspect has not been apprehended, he is not believed to be in our area. Continue to use caution if you move around Foggy Bottom. More information: https://t.co/k5vb63Pw0d
— GW University (@GWtweets) September 7, 2023
Haynes had been arrested on Wednesday on murder charges in Manassas, Virginia, and had been extradited to the District of Columbia, sources told the outlet, adding that he had been taken to the hospital because he “requested medical treatment for an old injury.”
To date, Washington, D.C. has reported seeing 186 homicides this year, a 29% increase from 2022’s 144 homicides reported, according to crime information from the Metropolitan Police Department.
The FBI is reportedly offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of Haynes, according to the outlet.
IJR reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department for a statement but did not hear back by the time of publication.
