Homicide suspect escapes from DC hospital, GWU students shelter-in-place for hours

A homicide suspect is on the run after escaping from custody at a Washington, D.C., hospital on Wednesday, authorities said.

Christopher Haynes, 30, was arrested on Wednesday. While he was being processed, he complained of a preexisting ankle injury, D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith said Thursday.

Haynes was taken to George Washington University Hospital, and while an officer was "changing out his handcuffs" in the emergency room in order to secure him to the gurney, "Mr. Haynes physically assaulted that officer and fled," Smith said.

Two officers were in the room with Haynes and both pursued him, Smith said.

Haynes escaped at 3:30 p.m. and was last seen with black handcuffs hanging from his right wrist, according to police.

The escape prompted a shelter-in-place order Wednesday at George Washington University and the school canceled all of its evening classes and events.

The university lifted the shelter-in-place order later on Wednesday night.

"Police cleared the scene at 23rd Street near GW Hospital and departed," GW tweeted. "While the suspect has not been apprehended, he is not believed to be in our area."

There are no confirmed sightings of Haynes since he ran from the hospital, Smith said.

Authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Haynes' arrest, Smith said.