U.S. Marshals Escapee Captured in Washington, D.C.

Alexandria, VA – Escapee Wossen Assaye is back in U.S. Marshals custody. Assaye was captured today in Washington, D.C., following his escape from Inova Fairfax hospital, where he was in custody, while being treated for injuries suffered in an apparent suicide attempt Friday while at the William G. Truesdale Detention Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

At approximately 3:15 a.m. today, Assaye overpowered one of the security guards, taking her firearm before fleeing the hospital barefoot and wearing a hospital gown. He carjacked two vehicles and was on the run for nearly eight hours before his capture by Metropolitan Police. The guard’s firearm has been recovered. An investigation into the incident continues. The Fairfax County Police Department, Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and other local and federal law enforcement agencies were instrumental in the pursuit and capture of Assaye. The community through social media provided the tip that led to Assaye’s capture.

When necessary, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) contracts with private guard services to provide security based on the needs of districts. The private guard service contracted by the USMS to provide security for Wossen Assaye was Allied Protection Service. The USMS entered the contract with this private contract service in January 2014; the contract is effective through September 2018.

For operational security reasons we cannot provide specific details on methods of prisoner transport or security procedures when handling prisoners. We continuously review our policies and procedures to ensure we employ best practices in prisoner handling.