A manhunt is underway in Virginia after authorities said that a prisoner grabbed a security guard’s gun and fled the hospital while still in his gown.
WUSA-TV reported that the incident occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Laws enforcement officials said Wossen Assaye, who was in the custody of a private security guard, struggled with that guard and took his gun. One shot was fired during the struggle, but no one was injured and once Assaye had the weapon in his possession, he fled the scene.
After the situation was reported, the hospital was put on lockdown and roads to the area were closed as a heavy presence descended on the location.
Fairfax County police said that Assaye could be traveling with a female and driving a stolen silver Toyota Camry with the license plate XZP-8153 and front-end damage to the vehicle.
CNN noted that the escaped prisoner was being held on charges of armed bank robbery and was taken to the hospital after he tried to hurt himself.
If you see him do not approach him, but contact authorities immediately.
Twitter image courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department