UPDATE: The teen was captured on March 1 at 10:30 p.m., according to the Oakland Police Department.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 16-year-old boy who was charged with attempted first-degree murder is on the run Wednesday after escaping DCS custody in Fayette County.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said the teen, Devin Westbrook, escaped from DCS custody at the Oakland Fast Pace Urgent Care Center.
According to Oakland Police, Westbrook was picked up from the Wilder Youth Center and brought to urgent care for a doctor’s appointment. He was able to escape while he was at the appointment.
The suspect was last seen running eastbound on Hwy 64 wearing a state-issued denim jumpsuit, handcuffs, and shackles.
“How could they not have somebody in there with him that he could escape? Why didn’t they have a deputy or a sheriff’s person with him,” said Elsa Moit who lives in Oakland.
Police said they are searching for these same answers and don’t know how Westbrook was able to walk out unnoticed.
They remind us Westbrook was in DCS custody, not police custody, for an attempted murder charge.
We reached out to Wilder to try to get that answer, but they won’t speak about what happened.
The sheriff’s office said Oakland area schools were on lockdown as they worked with the Oakland TN Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol to find the suspect.
Neighbors said they will be changing their routines until Westbrook is caught.
Police said they will continue their search, but it is a possibility that Westbrook is receiving help. However, they don’t believe the public is in imminent danger.