The shelter in place was lifted Wednesday evening at The George Washington University in D.C. nearly five hours after a suspect in a murder case escaped police custody.
Police have not said whether the suspect has been found or apprehended.
The university canceled all evening events and activities for Wednesday and advised the school community to be cautious when moving around campus. Access to university buildings are currently restricted to those with valid university ID cards.
Christopher Haynes, 30, escaped custody just after 3:30 p.m. Police described him as a Black man with shoulder-length dreadlocks, wearing a white suit with one red shoe. He is not handcuffed, but was last seen with black handcuffs hanging from his right wrist.
Looks like police found one red shoe. If his, Haynes may be shoeless now. @WTOP https://t.co/E1eiyaYmX2
— Mike Murillo (@MikeMurilloWTOP) September 6, 2023
He’s 6 feet tall and weighs about 205 pounds. Police also said that under his white suit, Haynes is wearing a black T-shirt and gray shorts.
D.C. police released an updated photo of Haynes, which appears to be taken from a home surveillance camera.
Updated picture of Haynes: https://t.co/wlYJkf7YeM pic.twitter.com/pjQIpU8bEf
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 6, 2023
“Do not engage, call 911 if spotted,” D.C. police said.
The FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information about Haynes whereabouts and anything that will lead to his arrest.
GW’s student alert system asked members of the campus to shelter in place before 9 p.m. “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.
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
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 6, 2023
In a news release following the previous tweet, D.C. police said that Haynes is 30 years old. He was arrested Wednesday and charged with a homicide offense.
Helicopters were seen circling the Foggy Bottom area as part of the search of Haynes. Several street closures were in place during the search, including on the Key Bridge, where outbound travel lanes reopened after 6 p.m. Police presence extended their search from the Foggy Bottom to the Georgetown areas.
In a post on X around 10 p.m., GW’s alert system announced the hospital was cleared by police who believe Haynes is no longer in the Foggy Bottom area.
In-person classes and events will resume tomorrow.
This story is developing. Check back with WTOP for updates.
WTOP’s Mike Murillo, who reported from Foggy Bottom, contributed to this report.
