Affected person escapes Maryland psychiatric hospital via shot-out window

CAMBRIDGE, Md. — A affected person escaped from considered one of Maryland’s state-run psychiatric hospitals Tuesday night by exiting via a shot-out window and fleeing in a ready getaway automobile, in response to native police.

An unidentified particular person approached the Eastern Shore Hospital Center, fired a number of gunshots right into a glass window and kicked within the damaged window body, Cambridge Police Chief Justin Todd stated in a information launch Wednesday morning. That allowed the affected person to flee, and the 2 drove away in a black automobile, police stated.

No accidents had been reported on the scene.

The escapee was recognized as 19-year-old Darrin Lee Jeter, who was dedicated to the hospital earlier this yr after being arrested and accused of assaulting a legislation enforcement officer and different counts.

Court information present he was held with out bail after the May arrest. A psychological well being analysis was offered to the court docket and Jeter was positioned within the custody of the Maryland Department of Health, in response to court docket information. He has a listening to scheduled for November to find out whether or not he’s mentally competent to face trial.

Jeter was later situated in Montgomery County by legislation enforcement there, a suburban space north of Washington, D.C., about 100 miles from the hospital.

Police didn’t say whether or not he would face extra fees associated to the escape or the place he’ll be housed going ahead. They stated they’re nonetheless working to establish the alleged shooter.

Patrick Moran, president of AFSCME Maryland, the union that represents nearly all of Eastern Shore Hospital Center staff, stated the escape illustrates office security hazards that may come up on account of understaffing and different administration points. He blamed former Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration for disinvesting in state-run services and stated this must be a wakeup name to Gov. Wes Moore, who took workplace earlier this yr.

“Our members are incredibly shaken up,” he stated. “They don’t want to see something like this happen again.”