Manhunt Underway for Teen Murder Suspect Who Escaped While En Route to Philadelphia Hospital

Shane Pryor, 17, is considered 'dangerous,' and still on the run

Authorities in Philadelphia are searching for a teen murder suspect who escaped from custody while being transported to a hospital.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Marshals Service's Philadelphia office tweeted that the agency is looking for 17-year-old Shane Pryor, “a murder suspect who escaped while being transported to a Phila [hospital].” The post also included an image of Pryor.

Authorities added that the teen could be traveling in a stolen Ford F-150 with the Pennsylvania license plate “ZTS-0503.”

The escapee is “considered dangerous," according to the Philadelphia Police Department, which warned the public against making contact with him.

Pryor is 5'7'' and 180 lbs, and was last seen wearing blue sweatpants and a sweatshirt, with no shoes in the area of University Avenue and Civic Center Boulevard, police said in a tweet.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Pryor allegedly escaped his escorting staff at 11:51 a.m. Tuesday. Five minutes later, Pryor was seen in the lobby of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Hub for Clinical Collaboration building.

"By 12:29 pm, investigators believe Pryor had obtained transportation out of University City,” the agency said in a tweet that included surveillance footage of the teen at the hospital.

Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner of Investigations Frank Vanore said during a news conference on Wednesday that Pryor had been in custody for a 2020 murder, reports ABC News. He was being held at the Juvenile Justice Services Center for the crime, in addition to conspiracy and firearm offenses.

Pryor was 14 years old when he allegedly shot a woman in the head and killed her in a rear alley along Torresdale Avenue, according to court documents, reports NBC Philadelphia.

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Before escaping from the medical facility on Wednesday, he was seen going from building to building trying to use telephones. Prison staffers had escorted him to the children’s hospital without shackles to treat a hand injury ahead of the escape, ABC News reports.

“As the male was exiting that car, he was able to escape from staff, and run from this area on foot,” Vanore told reporters.

“We’re searching the buildings. We have not found the individual yet. We are looking in parking garages, which are very, very large. And in this case, we need the public’s help,” Vanore continued.

Police said they do not believe Pryor has any weapons, reports NBC Philadelphia.

"Just turn yourself in so it don't get any worse than it has to be... mommy is fighting for you, I'll always be fighting for you," the teen's mother, reports 6ABC. Pryor's mom did not want to be publicly identified.

Pryor's lawyer, Paul DiMaio, told NBC Philadelphia that his client maintains his innocence. "I just think the kid is scared. The judge denying the decertification may be the reason for his escape since he has always maintained his innocence," DiMaio explained.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the escapee’s arrest. Anyone with information can call in tips at 1-877-WANTED-2.

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