Authorities have said that a Massachusetts man accused of shooting another man in an argument over liquor escaped while being taken to court for arraignment.

The Boston Herald has reported that Joel McDonald, 20, of Chelsea, Mass., is alleged to have shot 53-year-old James Day on Jan. 21 after an altercation over who drank some leftover liquor.

Chelsea police Chief Brian A. Kyes said that McDonald escaped Thursday when a garage door at a police station was left open.

Kyes said, "He was cuffed and restrained, but he took off running."

Kyes also said, "Some kids are very fast. Like lightning. He's young and he has the motivation to go."

According to Kyes, the police officer who was to transport McDonald to court in a cruiser is being "debriefed."

The Herald further revealed that Police searched downtown Chelsea, aided by police dogs and a state police helicopter.

A downtown resident who works in law enforcement said, "They messed up, so the neighborhood has to be careful of someone lurking behind trash cans or climbing through windows." (With Inputs from Agencies)