D.C. Murder Suspect Search Continues As Murder Victim's Family in VA Seeks Answers

WASHINGTON, DC — As the search for a suspected killer who escaped police custody enters its second week, the family of the victim expressed frustration with efforts to find the man wanted for their loved one's murder, according to a report.

District police were still searching for 30-year-old Christopher Haynes on Friday after authorities said he assaulted an officer and escaped from The George Washington University Hospital while in custody last week.

Haynes was arrested Sept. 7 in Manassas, Virginia, in connection with the Aug. 12 murder of 33-year-old Brent Hayward of Gainesville, Virginia.

In an interview with WTOP, Haynes' mother asked what had been done to her son's accused killer.

“Why can’t we catch him?” Sheila Jackson told the news station. "Are the same resources being put into catching Christopher Haynes as it is from the man who escaped in Pennsylvania?"

The search for Haynes coincided with a similar one in Pennsylvania, where authorities spent two weeks looking for escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel spent days searching Chester County for Cavalcante on foot and by air. He was captured with the help of dogs and a heat-sensing plane.

According to police, on Sept. 7, Haynes waived his right to an extradition hearing and was brought to the Metropolitan Police Department Branch to be booked and processed.

Police said that during processing, Haynes complained of ankle pain from a pre-existing injury. According to authorities, an officer took Haynes to The George Washington University Hospital for treatment. A second officer was also assigned to accompany Haynes, police said.

Shortly before 3:40 p.m., police said that while an officer attempted to cuff Haynes’ hand to a gurney, Haynes assaulted the officer and fled the hospital with one handcuff still attached to his right wrist. According to police, both officers chased Haynes but were unable to catch him.

The escape prompted a multi-agency search for Haynes, according to police. Despite numerous tips and sightings, police said Haynes was not located.

During the investigation, police were able to locate footage captured by a home security camera of Haynes in a backyard in a neighborhood near the hospital.

Earlier this week, police said the search for Haynes remains a top priority.

"The search remains active and ongoing and MPD is working closely with our local and federal partners to ensure that Haynes is brought to justice," a statement from District police read. "Anyone who is found to be assisting, aiding, abetting, or harboring Christopher Haynes will be criminally charged."

Authorities also offered a $30,000 reward for information leading to Haynes' capture.

As the search continues, Haynes' mother told WTOP she fears someone else could be hurt.

“I hope nobody else gets hurt," she told the station. "I just pray nobody gets hurt."

According to police, Haynes is a Black man who is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 205 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes with shoulder-length dreadlocks and a Washington Nationals tattoo on his neck. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, gray shorts and white socks with black handcuffs hanging from his right wrist.

Anyone with information on Haynes’ whereabouts should contact police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the department’s text tip line by sending a message to 50411.