Massive Manhunt Underway For 'Dangerous' Idaho Inmate & Accomplice

An Idaho inmate escaped custody Wednesday, prompting a massive manhunt. He is considered dangerous and is still on the run as of Thursday morning.

Skylar Meade, 31, was transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho for self-inflicted injuries on Wednesday. He was set to be transported back to the corrections facility around 2:15 a.m., however, instead of going back to prison, he escaped custody, with the help of another individual.

Meade, pictured above, had an accomplice, later identified as Nicholas Umphenour, who surprise attacked multiple corrections officers after he opened fire, according to police. Two officers were shot -- one with non-life-threatening injuries and the other who was stable in critical condition.

The third sustained non-life-threatening injuries during crossfire with Boise Police, according to police.

"Boise Police officers responded to the hospital to reports of an active shooter, with one officer firing his duty weapon at an armed individual near the entrance," the police department confirmed. "That individual was later determined to be an IDOC employee. He was not seriously injured and is receiving treatment for his injuries."

Adding, "The hospital was locked down as officers searched the area for the suspect. A preliminary investigation indicates Meade and the shooting suspect got into a grey four-door sedan and fled the area just prior to Boise Police officers arriving."

Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar said in a press conference that they "believe that this was a coordinated attack, ambush on the department of corrections officers and certainly a planned endeavor to free him from custody."

Both Meade and Umphenour fled in a gray four-door sedan.

Police confirmed the vehicle to be a Grey 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2-T-D-F-4-3-U.

"One suspect, pictured in the tweet above, is escaped IDOC inmate Skylar Meade," police confirmed. "Both suspects are known to be armed and dangerous."

At 7:28 a.m. on Thursday, Boise police confirmed, "The hospital was placed on a temporary modified lockdown but has since resumed normal operations. More information will be released shortly. The Ada County Sheriff's Office is leading the CITF investigation."

“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," Chief Ron Winegar stated in a social media post.

Adding, "When BPD officers responded, they believed the shooter was inside the Emergency Department. They immediately entered to address any potential continued threat to Emergency Room staff. I am grateful this harrowing incident did not result in loss of life, and we are monitoring the wounded IDOC officers with great hope for a full and speedy recovery of all involved."

Winegar is cautioning "anyone who may have contact with the suspects involved in this violent attack and escape to call 911 immediately and not confront them personally. They are armed, dangerous, and have shown they are willing to use extreme violence in furtherance of their criminal activity.”

Officers have since obtained a warrant for Nicholas Umphenour's arrest on two charges of aggravated battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape of IDOC inmate Skylar Meade of Twin Falls.

The warrant has a $2 million bond.

BPD Chief Rone Winegar confirmed that police “issued a blue alert, with the intention of providing as much info as we could as quickly as possible because Meade and the shooting suspect and anybody else who might be involved in this brazen attempt to get Meade out of custody."

He added that both individuals "are dangerous, they are armed, and they have shown a propensity for violence.”

“I would call it unprecedented and unthinkable. We’re certainly as part of routine policy and practice, we’ll do everything we can to try to learn for this event,” said IDOC Director Josh Tewalt. “For today, our hearts are with our staff, and everyone involved, and our attention is on apprehending those responsible.”

Meade was arrested in 2016 for aggravated battery on a Twin Falls officer. He was set to be released in 2036.

Nicholas Umphenour is described as being 5’11”, about 160 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes. Skylar Meade is approximately 5’06”, 150 lbs.

Officers continue to warn that the suspect, Nicholas Umphenour, and the escaped inmate, Skylar Meade, are considered armed and dangerous, so if you come in contact with them, do not approach them.

At this time, it is unknown exactly where they are or where they are headed. Anyone with information is asked to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.