Assault suspect escapes from psychiatric hospital in D.C.

WASHINGTON — A man who’s charged with assaulting a police officer has escaped from the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, law enforcement officials said Monday.

Kenneth Clayton got away from the Tenleytown location about 10:40 a.m., according the office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice. He was not armed at the time of his escape, but officials say Clayton may be dangerous.

He had been charged with assault on a police officer, possession of unregistered ammunition and being a fugitive from justice.

A warrant is outstanding for Clayton’s arrest and multiple law enforcement agencies are “actively engaged in attempting to locate and apprehend” him, according to a release.

It is unclear how Clayton escaped.

The suspect is described as a black man who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, 208 pounds, bald, with a medium to dark complexion with tattoos on his forearms. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue or black pants.

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