Authorities searched Saturday for a man charged with first-degree murder who allegedly swapped identities with another prisoner and walked out of a Washington courthouse.

U.S. Marshals spokesman David Neumann said officials are looking for 24-year-old James Brewer, a suspect in a fatal shooting in Washington in June. Neumann said authorities are still investigating how Brewer escaped Friday.

D.C. Superior Court records, however, say that before Brewer was called before a judge, he switched identification bracelets with a prisoner arrested on a drug charge. Brewer then apparently posed as the other person and was released because the charge, possession of PCP, is a misdemeanor.

Brewer is described as a black man, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, about 180 pounds with dreadlocks. Brewer, who also goes by "Sticky," is considered armed and dangerous.

Officials say he is known to travel to Newport News, Va., where he was arrested Thursday. He may also be interested in traveling to Philadelphia.