Reward For Escaped DC Murder Suspect Grows To $30K: Police

WASHINGTON, DC —The reward for a man who escaped police custody after he was arrested in connection with an August murder in Washington, D.C. grew to $30,000 on Tuesday as the search for him prepared to enter its second week, according to authorities.

District police are searching for Christopher Haynes, 30, after authorities said he assaulted an officer and escaped from The George Washington University Hospital while in custody Thursday.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department statement released Tuesday, the search for Haynes remains a top priority for the agency.

"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," the statement read. "Anyone who is found to be assisting, aiding, abetting, or harboring Christopher Haynes will be criminally charged."

Haynes was arrested Thursday in Manassas, Virginia, in connection with the Aug. 12 murder of Brent Hayward. According to police, Haynes waived his right to an extradition hearing and was brought to MPD’s Homicide Branch to be booked and processed.

Police said that while he was being processed, 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.

Police initially offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Haynes' arrest, before upping it to $25,000 the day after his escape.

According to police, Haynes is a Black man who is approximately 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.