Teen Suspected In Barnard College Student's Slaying Leaps From Car And Flees While On His Way To See Police, Authorities Say

A teen suspected in the killing of a Barnard College freshman leapt out of a car Monday afternoon while on his way to speak to police and ran away, prompting a search by authorities.

Three law enforcement sources told local station WNBC the teen was expected to come into a New York City police department on Monday with his attorney; however, he never showed up and was last seen running from a car that afternoon.

Authorities are now scouring an area in Harlem near 125^th Street and Park Avenue for any sign of the teen.

Police were led to the suspect by a 13-year-old boy already in custody in connection to the slaying of 18-year-old Tessa Majors.

Majors was killed Wednesday evening in Morningside Park after she was approached by a group of teens in what police are calling a robbery gone wrong, NBC News reports.  

Investigators said the teens put Majors in a chokehold and took items from her pocket. She tried to fight back, even biting one of the teens on the finger, but was stabbed during the struggle.

She was able to stumble up a set of stairs at the park and find a security guard on duty, but later died from her injuries.

A medical examiner announced Monday that Majors died from stab wounds to her torso, according to WABC.

The 13-year-old in custody was charged as a juvenile last week with second-degree murder in the slaying. Authorities don’t believe he stabbed Majors, but have said the teen looked on as she was killed.

Investigators also brought in a 14-year-old suspect for questioning late last week, but later released him from custody.

As investigators continue to try to track down those involved in the slaying, Majors parents’ issued a statement slamming Ed Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, after he said in a radio interview over the weekend that he believed Majors was in the park to buy pot.

"The remarks by Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins we find deeply inappropriate, as they intentionally or unintentionally direct blame onto Tess, a young woman, for her own murder," the family said Monday, according to WNBC. "We would ask Mr. Mullins not to engage in such irresponsible public speculation, just as the NYPD asked our family not to comment as it conducts the investigation.”

Mullins made the comments while he was a guest on John Catsimatidis' Sunday morning radio show.

“An 18-year-old college student at one of the most prestigious universities is murdered in a park, and what I’m understanding, she was in the park to buy marijuana,” Mullins said in the interview according to The New York Daily News.

Police have refused to comment on why they believe Majors was in the park.

Majors had been an aspiring writer and musician and was just beginning her college career at Barnard College when she was attacked.

Her grieving family is now hoping to find out exactly what happened to Majors the night she died.

“We believe, for the immediate safety of the community and the surrounding schools, that should be everyone’s top priority and we are grateful to the men and women of the NYPD for all of their efforts,” the Majors family said.

In the days after her death, a memorial continues to grow just feet from where she collapsed. Her family thanked those who have taken the time to remember and honor Majors’ life and said the outpouring of grief has let them know they are not alone.

"Tess would not have been surprised by this beautiful reminder of our shared humanity,” they said in the statement.