Post by Scumhunter on Mar 31, 2015 8:30:55 GMT -5
A hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, was was the site of a prisoner escape early Tuesday, The Washington Post reported.
Police in Fairfax County confirmed to NBC News that the Inova Fairfax Hospital was in lockdown, and that a manhunt was underway.
Inmate Wossen Assaye was being held by Alexandria City on federal charges for armed bank robbery, police said on Twitter. He was taken to the hospital for medical treatment after attempting to harm himself.
Assaye was in the company of a private security firm when a struggle with the guard occurred. He allegedly overpowered the guard in the hospital and took a gun. Although one shot was fired, no one was injured, police said.
John Gonzalez of ABC7 said on Twitter that police officers are going room to room, looking for the suspect. The station also said officers were searching the parking garages and nearby neighborhoods. All entrances to the hospital are closed.
Assaye is a black male, 6 feet tall, 170 pounds and wearing a hospital gown and no shoes.
Police said Assaye should be considered armed and dangerous and may be in the company of his girlfriend.
Authorities are asking for anyone who sees a man matching the description to call (703) 691-2131.
According to the hospital's website, the 833-bed facility is Northern Virginia's only Level 1 trauma center and has been ranked the top medical center in the Washington DC metro area for three years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
