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Alert Issued After Gary Murder Suspect Released From Hospital

GARY, Ind. (CBS) -- Police in Gary, Indiana, have issued a nationwide alert for a murder suspect who was released from a Chicago area hospital in February.

Gary Police Cpl. Gabrielle King said 21-year-old Mark Cherry was being treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn after being wounded in a gunfight last December. Cherry allegedly shot and killed 22-year-old Rolando Correa during that gunfight.

Police were not notified when Cherry was released from the hospital in February, King said. Cherry was charged with murder in Correa's death in December.

The hospital said it has no authority to detain a patient against his or her will, and is not allowed to notify another person or agency about a patient's condition or release without his or her consent.

"If a patient is under suspicion for a serious offense, the police department involved in the case typically posts an officer on site during the period of the hospitalization. Then, at the time of discharge, the patient can be taken immediately into custody by police," a hospital spokesman said in an email.

Gary police said they lack jurisdiction in Illinois.

King said Cherry, a Lake Station resident, is considered dangerous.

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