Christopher Hayes: High alert issued after 'dangerous' murder suspect escapes custody at George Washington University Hospital
WASHINGTON, DC: Christopher Hayes, a 31-year-old murder suspect, broke free from the George Washington Hospital's custody in the 900 block of 23rd Street at around 3.30 pm on Wednesday, September 6.
A shelter-in-place order was issued by George Washington University on Wednesday after the murder suspect broke free from police custody at the university hospital.
Christopher Hayes is described as a 'dangerous individual'
Haynes "escaped custody" at the hospital just after 3.30 pm, the Metropolitan Police Department reported on X.
As per Daily Mail, he was described as being 6 feet tall, black, with shoulder-length dreadlocks, and he was dressed in a white body suit, grey shorts, and a black t-shirt.
Police reportedly told CNN that he also has a large Washington "W" tattoo on the front of his neck.
Police stated in a news release that 30-year-old Haynes was taken into custody earlier on September 6 and charged with a "homicide offense." There was no more information immediately available.
Hayes, who was detained and charged with murder the day he made his getaway, is not currently restrained and the general public has been advised not to interact with him.
The institution warned everyone on campus via text messages to take cover "due to the dangerous individual around campus."
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
Large areas close to the hospital have been roped off, and a helicopter was observed circling the area.
Although it was uncertain from the police notice if Haynes was armed, it did urge onlookers to phone 911 and refrain from confronting him.
Authorities launch massive manhunt for Christopher Hayes
The gravity of the situation also led to George Washington University's student alert system being activated, warning those on campus to take cover because the escaped murder suspect was close by.
According to the US Secret Service, the search for Haynes is also being assisted by its armed section.
According to spokesman Sgt Tom Twiname of the US Park Police, DC officers are also receiving assistance from them in the manhunt.
Washington, D.C. - The scene in between New Hampshire Ave NW and 24th Street as police and secret service lockdown the area surrounding GW Hospital where murder-1 escapee, Christopher Hayes left custody on September 6, 2023 around 4:15 PM. pic.twitter.com/jhnaOJ0LWh
— Anthony Peltier (@_anthonypeltier) September 7, 2023
As per CNN, roads near the White House are temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution as police look for the suspect, according to a statement from Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
George Washington University claimed in a statement on its website that it issued a "shelter in place" order for its city campus around 20 minutes after his escape. According to the university, there have been no reports of injuries to members of the GWU community.
The public was asked not to approach Haynes, and DC police issued a photo of him to help with identification. Instead, they underlined the significance of calling 911 right away if Haynes is seen.
The DC authorities noted: "Do not engage, call 911 if spotted."
The university administration sent out text messages at 6 pm, two hours after the shelter-in-place order was issued, stating that the order would remain in effect and canceling all evening activities.