In a shocking development rattling the Boise community in Idaho, a member of a prison gang and his associate successfully evaded custody in a meticulously planned escape.
The audacious incident unfolded in an orchestrated ambush outside a hospital, resulting in three corrections officers sustaining gunshot wounds.
MANHUNT: Gunman Breaks Prisoner Out of Boise, Idaho Hospital, 3 Officers Shot pic.twitter.com/cPTE8VXULB
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 20, 2024
Authorities are now engaged in an exhaustive manhunt for the fugitive, Skylar Meade, and his partner-in-crime, Nicholas Umphenour, who orchestrated the daring escape by launching a hail of bullets at the officers.
Meade exploited a moment of vulnerability while being transported back to prison from Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where he had received emergency treatment. The brazen attack, executed at the hospital’s ambulance bay around 2:15 a.m., exposed a disturbing lapse in security.
Umphenour’s violent intervention not only facilitated Meade’s escape but also inflicted injuries on three corrections officers, two by gunfire and another inadvertently harmed during the police response to the chaos.
Described by authorities as a member of a white supremacist gang, Meade boasts a criminal record, including a 20-year sentence imposed in 2017 for firing at law enforcement officers during a pursuit. The involvement of armed individuals in his escape underscores the considerable risk and coordination involved in the operation.
Law enforcement agencies have issued a warrant for Umphenour’s arrest, with charges including aggravated battery against law enforcement and aiding a fugitive’s escape, carrying a hefty $2 million bond. The escape vehicle, a gray 2020 Honda Civic with Idaho plates, serves as a crucial lead in the pursuit of the fugitives, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar has condemned the brazen act of violence and escape, stressing its severe implications for law enforcement and the community seeking medical assistance.
This incident underscores the formidable security challenges confronting correctional facilities and underscores the imperative of implementing stringent measures to avert similar occurrences in the future.
