A pre-dawn manhunt swept through Memphis' Medical District on Sunday after a detainee slipped out of custody outside Regional One Health and vanished into the surrounding streets, according to police.
Officers fanned out on foot and deployed specialized teams around the hospital campus and nearby blocks as they worked to track down the escapee. Investigators say they have identified the man and recovered a vehicle tied to the original stop.
How investigators say the getaway happened
Police say the suspect, identified as Xavion Summers, was detained Saturday evening after what officers described as an apparent drug transaction at an Exxon at 2675 Getwell Road, then taken to Regional One for medical clearance.
Around 4:45 a.m. Sunday, as an officer opened a patrol car outside the hospital, Summers allegedly made a run for it, heading south on Dunlap Street and then west on Madison Avenue before officers lost sight of him, according to WREG.
Police response and how the public can help
The Memphis Police Department is urging anyone who spots Summers or knows where he might be to contact authorities, but not to approach him.
Tips can be called or texted to CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH, and the department notes that information can be shared anonymously. Officials say anyone who sees Summers in person should call 911 immediately and avoid any confrontation, according to the Memphis Police Department.
Vehicle, marijuana and handgun recovered
After the escape, officers located a silver Acura believed to be linked to the earlier stop. Inside, investigators say they found a backpack holding about 510 grams of marijuana.
Police also report finding a 9mm Shadow Systems handgun on the passenger-side floorboard, with a magazine that held 17 live rounds. Authorities say Summers was wearing a black Adidas tracksuit hoodie when he was first detained, and that another man in the car received a citation for misdemeanor marijuana possession and was released, according to WREG.
What Summers could be facing
Warrants tied to the incident list multiple alleged offenses, including escape and assault against a first responder. They also outline counts related to drug trafficking, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and the alleged theft of handcuffs.
The potential charges range from misdemeanors to felonies and will move through the Shelby County criminal system if prosecutors choose to file them. Memphis police and local prosecutors are expected to handle any filings as investigators continue to gather evidence.
Hospital escapes a recurring headache for MPD
Police say hospital transfers and medical clearances are often some of the most vulnerable moments in any custody situation, and Memphis has seen escape attempts tied to medical facilities before.
In May 2025, officers recaptured a man who fled while at Methodist South, a case that highlighted how quickly a hospital trip can turn into a chase, according to reporting by Action News 5.
Anyone who sees Summers or has information on his whereabouts is asked not to approach him and instead to call 911 right away or submit an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Police say community tips, licensed video footage, and other digital leads can play a key role in safely tracking down the suspect, according to the Memphis Police Department.
