BOISE, Idaho – Law enforcement authorities are actively searching for a white supremacist who orchestrated a daring escape from custody during a violent altercation at an Idaho hospital. The incident resulted in three prison staff members sustaining injuries, as revealed on Thursday.
Skylar Meade, a known member of the Aryan Knights white supremacist group with distinctive facial tattoos, was being escorted out of a medical facility after receiving treatment when chaos erupted, originating from within the hospital’s emergency department. The assailant responsible for the attack has been identified as Nicholas Umphenour, who shot two prison officers before fleeing in a car with Meade, leaving one officer in critical condition.
In the midst of the chaotic situation, responding officers mistakenly targeted a prison staff member, resulting in him being wounded as well. Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar condemned the violent attack as a brazen and coordinated effort to assist the escape of a dangerous inmate, carried out right in front of the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Police officers swiftly responded to the scene, entering the emergency department under the assumption that Umphenour was still present, prompting a lockdown of the hospital as they conducted a thorough search. Winegar issued a warning to the public, urging anyone with information on the suspects to contact authorities immediately and refrain from confronting them personally, citing their armed and dangerous status.
Meade, who had been incarcerated since 2016 for assaulting a law enforcement officer, was not scheduled for release until 2036. Fortunately, Winegar confirmed that all three injured prison staff members are on the path to a full recovery. The search for Meade and Umphenour remains a top priority for law enforcement as they work to ensure the safety of the community in the wake of this alarming escape.