NOTE: This story is no longer being updated. See here for latest update on the search for David Watson.
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A prisoner convicted of attempted murder that escaped from a hospital in Howard County, Maryland on Friday remains at large, police say.
David M. Watson, 28, was being transported to Clifton Perkins Hospital Center for a psychiatric evaluation related to an attempted murder case in Maryland. When a guard opened the van in the hospital parking lot, Watson pushed the guard down and ran into nearby woods, police said.
Police believe he managed to get out of his handcuffs and waist chain inside the van, Howard County Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said. It's unclear whether his legs were shackled.
Police do not know whether he planned the escape or had any help. They do not know if he is still in the area.
Howard County police said they were suspending the ground search just before 5 p.m. Saturday after exhausting all search efforts in the immediate area.
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"There are no indications that Watson remains in the area and there have been no sightings," the police department said on Facebook.
Watson was last seen in the area of Dorsey Run Road and Patuxent Range Road in Jessup. Some of his clothing was found in the woods, and a K-9 was able to pick up the direction in which he fled.
The hospital is located in an industrial area, and police searched many nearby buildings.
Watson is serving more than 100 years in Delaware for attempted murder. He also faces charges of attempted murder of police officers in Wicomico County. The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office picked him up in Delaware to take him to the hospital.
Watson is 5-feet-8-inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and was wearing all white clothing.
On Saturday, police said Watson has been known to wear glasses and released an updated photo of him. He also has several tattoos.
Howard County police are offering a reward of up to $5,000 to for information on Watson's whereabouts. Anyone who see a man matching Watson's description should call 911.
