A manhunt is currently underway in North Carolina for Ramone Jamarr Alston, an escaped convicted murderer known as the 'Christmas Day Killer.' Alston, who was serving a life sentence for the 2015 Christmas Day murder of 1-year-old Maleah Williams, managed to escape from his guards while being transported to UNC Hillsborough Hospital.
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood issued a warning about Alston, describing him as extremely dangerous and with nothing to lose. Authorities have offered a reward of $35,000 for information leading to his capture and are urging residents with home security cameras to review their footage for any potential evidence.
Alston, who has a history of criminal activity since his youth, was last seen running into the woods near the hospital. He was described as wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants, and white New Balance sneakers at the time of his escape. Despite freeing himself from his leg restraints, he was still handcuffed with a chain around his waist.
Law enforcement has indicated that Alston may have altered his appearance by cutting his dreadlocks, but his distinctive tattoos, including 'Flame' across his chest and 'niece' on his right arm, remain identifying features. The escape occurred while the correction officers' firearms were secured in a locked box within the transport vehicle.
Authorities have not received concrete leads on Alston's whereabouts, prompting a widespread search effort. The manhunt is ongoing, with updates expected to be provided periodically. Alston's involvement in a drive-by shooting in Chapel Hill in 2015, where a bullet struck Maleah Williams, adds to the urgency of his capture.
