Escaped homicide suspect got away as officer tried to handcuff him to hospital gurney

A homicide suspect who escaped from custody at George Washington University Hospital got away as police took off one of his handcuffs to cuff him to a gurney.

Police arrested Christopher Haynes in Manassas, Virginia, Wednesday. He is suspected in a shooting on Kenilworth Avenue in Northeast D.C. last month that killed a man and injured another.

While police questioned Haynes in D.C., he complained of pain in his ankle from a previous injury and was taken to GW Hospital.

About 3:30 p.m., Haynes managed to get away from two officers.

“While the officer was changing out his handcuffs at the hospital, Mr. Haynes physically assaulted that officer and fled from the hospital,” D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said.

Haynes’ escape led to dozens of police scouring the Foggy Bottom neighborhood on foot and from the sky. Students and staff at George Washington University were told to shelter in place for hours.

Haynes was spotted in the area by a surveillance camera shortly after he escaped but has yet to be caught.

Haynes is 30 years old and has a distinctive Washington Nationals curly W tattoo on his throat and was last seen in a T-shirt, shorts and socks. He may still have a handcuff attached to his right wrist.

Police are searching areas in D.C. where Haynes is known to frequent, but he could also be heading back to Virginia, Smith said.

“He has ties to Stafford County, Fauquier County, as well as Prince William County,” she said.

Police do not believe Haynes is still in the neighborhood around GW Hospital. They do not believe he’s armed, but he should be considered dangerous.

An internal investigation will look into the protocol of removing handcuffs to cuff a suspect to a gurney.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for developments.