A man, convicted for the tragic murder of a one-year-old girl in 2015, fled custody early Tuesday while being taken to a hospital appointment in North Carolina, according to authorities.

Ramone Jamarr Alston, 30, escaped from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction around 7 a.m. Tuesday. He escaped from leg restraints and ran into the nearby woods while being transported to UNC Hospital in Hillsborough, as per a statement from the department.

Officials reported that Alston was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants, and white New Balance sneakers, while also being in handcuffs connected to a waist chain during the escape.

In a bid to help capture him, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to Alston’s arrest.

“Someone out there has to know Alston’s whereabouts,” stated Todd Ishee, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. “We hope this reward encourages them to provide us with the vital information that will help us recapture Alston.”

Local residents have been urged to report any unusual behavior and to ensure their doors, vehicles, and windows are secured. “If anyone spots Alston, please stay away and do not confront him,” warned the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Extensive Search for Ramone Alston Ongoing

On Tuesday, officials reported that a significant ground search for Alston was launched, covering a one to two-mile area surrounding the hospital.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Kirby Saunders, Director of Orange County Emergency Services, shared that over 114 personnel from multiple law enforcement agencies are participating in the search. The operation covers approximately 580 acres, nearly a mile in area, around the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus.

“Although the primary goal is to find Alston, it is equally important for us to establish where he is not,” stated Saunders. “We will continue our efforts until we ensure Alston is back in custody.”

After Alston’s escape, the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus was placed on lockdown until approximately 8:30 a.m., and security measures were intensified. Similarly, Durham Technical Community College in Orange County went into lockdown and canceled classes as a precaution, according to a campus-wide alert.

Authorities focused their search efforts on the hospital vicinity, local neighborhoods, and woodlands.

“We currently have minimal information or credible leads regarding Alston’s location, and our hope is to confirm where he is not,” said Saunders during the news conference. “Reassuring the community that they are safe, and that there’s no immediate danger, is a top priority.”

Background on Ramone Alston

Alston is serving a life sentence at Bertie Correctional Institution, located about 150 miles east of Hillsborough. He was convicted for the fatal shooting of one-year-old Maleah Williams in Chapel Hill on Christmas Day 2015, as noted by authorities.

Reports from local news outlets indicate that Alston was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018.

The mother of the girl, Tylena Williams, recounted in 2019 that Maleah was tragically shot in the head while playing outdoors with other children near her godparents’ residence. Alston and his accomplice, Pierre Je Bron Moore, allegedly opened fire in a drive-by shooting at the apartment complex, according to Spectrum News.

Both Alston and Moore accepted plea deals, with Moore being sentenced to 28 to 34 years in prison in 2019, as detailed by WTVD.