White Supremacist Inmate Escapes After Boise Hospital Ambush: Accomplice Still At Large
Authorities in Idaho are searching for a white supremacist Idaho prison inmate and an accomplice who are at large after they fled a Boise hospital ambush, cops say.
Search for Escaped White Supremacist Skylar Meade and Accomplice Nicholas Umphenour
The Escape Plan
Police say Nicholas Umphenour, 28, was the accomplice to the escape of white supremacist inmate Skylar Meade, 31, from custody. They both fled from authorities after Umphenour shot and wounded corrections officers as they were transporting Meade from a Boise hospital, authorities said.
A Violent Attack
Umphenour helped plan to release Meade from custody early Wednesday morning after Meade was brought to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, according to the Boise Police Department. Three Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) officers were injured in the melee.
Injuries and Conditions
One officer who was shot by Umphenour is in critical but stable condition, authorities said. A second officer who was shot by Umphenour has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, cops said. The third officer was injured during gunfire from a responding BPD officer and received non-life-threatening injuries, cops said.
Authorities Respond
Idaho Department of Corrections Chief Ron Winegar released a statement about the incident in a press release. Chief Winegar stated, “This brazen, violent, and apparently coordinated attack on Idaho Department of Corrections personnel, to facilitate an escape of a dangerous inmate, was carried out right in front of the Emergency Department, where people come for medical help, often in the direst circumstances.”
Arrest Warrant and Citizen Alert
A warrant with a $2 million bond has been issued for Umphenour’s arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape, police said. The City of Boise has issued an alert to citizens about the inmate’s escape and say that they were caught on surveillance footage and last seen in a vehicle identified as a grey 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2TDF43U.
Description of Suspects
Police have described Umphenour as roughly 5 feet 11 inches, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. Umphenour is a career criminal who served time in 2016 for burglary and was also incarcerated in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and grand theft by receiving, possession or disposing of stolen property.
Active Manhunt
While the investigation is ongoing, cops say it is unknown exactly where they are or where they are headed. Police have described Umphenour as roughly 5 feet 11 inches, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes.
Background of the Inmate
Meade is a 5 feet 6 inches with brown hair and hazel eyes, and has several tattoos across his chest and on his face, including some associated with the Aryan Knights, a white supremacist prison gang.
Conclusion
Both men are considered armed and dangerous, if you encounter them, do not approach, authorities said. Call 911 or Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.