D.C. murder suspect on the run as media focuses on Pennsylvania manhunt

While the media focused on the two-week manhunt in Pennsylvania for escaped convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante, the search for D.C. murder suspect Christoper Haynes has received considerably less attention since he escaped more than a week ago.

Officials captured Cavalcante on Wednesday, but Haynes has been on the run since he escaped police custody at George Washington University Hospital on Sept. 6, the same day that he was arrested in Manassas, Virginia. 

Police said that after Haynes was arrested, he was taken to the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch for booking and processing in connection to the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward on Aug. 12, 2023.

In the afternoon of Sept. 6, Haynes complained of pain resulting from a pre-existing ankle problem, and he was transported to George Washington University Hospital to be treated.

Less than 40 minutes later, Haynes assaulted an officer who was changing the handcuffs from one of his hands to a gurney. Haynes fled with one handcuff still on his wrist, and officers chased him but were unable to catch him.

Police have received numerous reports of possible sightings of Haynes, who is described as a 30-year-old, 6-foot and 205 pound black male. On Tuesday, police increased the reward for information leading to Haynes' arrest to $30,000.

D.C. has struggled with a rise in crime, as homicides are up 28% so far this year compared to the same time period in 2022. Additionally, homicides are up 14% this year compared to all of 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.