Murder suspect on the loose in Honolulu

The state Department of Public Safety has confirmed an escapee is on the loose in Honolulu Wednesday.

Teddy Munet, 29, escaped during an Oahu Community Correctional Center transport at Circuit Court in Downtown Honolulu shortly after 8:05 a.m.

Munet is 5-feet-11-inches-tall and has a black hoodie which he may be using to hide his belly chain and handcuffs.

Munet was last seen in Kaka'ako.  He was being held on a second-degree murder charge, firearms and drug-related charges.  Munet was on his way to court for proceedings related to the homicide that occurred on July 19, 2012 at Kawainui Marsh.  His attorney says Munet has pleaded not guilty.

The state Public Safety Director Ted Sakai said that Munet was being walked into Circuit Court and he just ran.

Sakai there were eight adult corrections officers at the scene and one of them tried to chase Munet down but failed.

Munet was wearing shorts and a hooded sweatshirt when he escaped.  Sakai said Munet was at Circuit Court on Wednesday for a motion in his murder trial.  When he was to face the jury, it was required for him to be in civilian clothes to not prejudice the jury.

The following is a list of schools that were in lockdown or heightened alert:

1. Central Middle School
   
2. Kawaiaha'o Church School
   
3. Lincoln Elementary School
   
4. Lunalilo Elementary School
   
5. Manoa Elementary School
   
6. McKinley High School
   
7. Noelani Elementary School
   
8. Pauoa Elementary School
   
9. Royal Elementary School
   
10. St. Andrew's Priory
    
11. Stevenson Middle School
    
12. Seagull Schools' Early Education Center
    
13. Voyager Public Charter School
    
14. Washington Middle School
    

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Punahou School and Maryknoll School are also monitoring the situation.

At 9:45 a.m., Royal Elementary and Central Middle initiated lockdowns on their campuses due to the proximity to Circuit Court.

At around the same time, the Department of Education implemented a "heightened alert" status for schools in affected areas as police searched for the escapee.

Heightened alert status requires staff to be vigilantly attentive and watchful to activity and visitors on campuses.  Lockdown status is a "no-one-in/no-one-out" situation in which visitors are prohibited from entering the school campus.

Washington Middle initiated a lockdown at 11:30 a.m.  Shortly after, the Honolulu Police Department set up a command post at the school's King Street parking lot.

Public school scheduled allow for an early dismissal on Wednesdays.  The lockdown status was lifted at the schools' respective dismissal times.

Anyone who sees Munet or has any information on his whereabouts should call 911 immediately.