It's not entirely clear why the suspect, apparently somewhat crazy with a record of violence, was permitted out on the streets in the first place.
The suspect was on unescorted leave for a few hours from the hospital, located at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. Police were contacted after he was released Monday and failed to return.
The suspect was sent to the facility after being found not criminally responsible on a charge of assault causing bodily harm in Sydney.
In court documents, the man is described as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. He is also described as being grossly psychotic with a history of aggressive impulsivity and unpredictability.
