Manhunt Underway For 13-Year-Old Accused Of Double Murder (Video)

A manhunt is underway for a 13-year-old boy who is accused of double murder.

The lad, who is identified by authorities as Jericho W, escaped from custody while returning from juvenile court at the Robeson County Courthouse in Lumberton, North Carolina.

He was barefoot and wearing leg restraints.

Jericho is facing two counts of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon charge.

Via NBC News:

The 13-year-old boy appeared to be connected to a murder case from mid-October when deputies found two brothers, Frank Thomas, 34, and Adam Thomas, 33, dead in their home, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.

A 19-year-old and 13-year-old were arrested on two counts of first-degree murder in the case, WRAL reported on October 16. The older teen was also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon and robbery with a dangerous weapon at the time.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety broke protocol by releasing a photo of Jericho who is a juvenile. (I blurred his face to avoid posting photos of minors.)

In a statement, the department said, “Division officials have a high degree of concern for the safety of both the juvenile and the public, due to a prior history of assaultive and unpredictable behavior.”

Jericho W’s family is blaming the police for his escape.

Watch the news report below.