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Released: March 22, 2024 11:15 am
Idaho State Police investigate homicides related to escaped inmate capture
Idaho State Police (ISP) detectives, in collaboration with multiple city, county, and federal agencies, continue to actively investigate two homicides believed to be related to the escape of Skylar Meade from Idaho Department of Corrections custody, with assistance from Nicholas Umphenour, shortly after 2 a.m. on March 20, 2024, in Boise, Idaho.
After fleeing Boise in a stolen Honda Civic, detectives believe Meade and Umphenour drove north through Idaho and encountered 83-year-old James L. Mauney, of Juliaetta, ID, as he walked his dogs near Juliaetta. Mauney and his dogs were taken and driven eastbound in his silver 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. On March 20, in a desolate area near Leland, law enforcement located the abandoned Honda Civic and later found the body of Mauney nearby. At this time, detectives do not believe Mauney knew the suspects.
Also on March 20, ISP worked with the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the homicide of 72-year-old Gerald “Don” Henderson at his residence in a secluded area outside Orofino. Mauney’s dogs and a pair of shackles (believed to be left by Skylar Meade) were located at Henderson’s residence. Detectives believe Henderson may have been acquainted with the suspects, but the duration and extent are unknown. Authorities later returned Mauney’s dogs to his family members unharmed.
Based on leads and tips, on March 21, law enforcement located the stolen Chrysler Pacifica at a residence in Filer and believe the suspects may have traveled through Missoula, Montana, to get there. As law enforcement secured the area around the residence, Meade and Umphenour left in different vehicles. Meade was stopped and arrested nearby, while Umphenour attempted to flee but was pursued and ultimately apprehended. Both were captured without further incident, and no gunshots were fired.
During Meade’s arrest, a 52-year-old female from Filer was taken into custody on charges related to Meade’s flight from the residence. She was booked into the Twin Falls County Jail.
The Clearwater County Coroner’s Office and the Nez Perce County Coroner’s Office have identified the homicide victims in their respective jurisdictions. However, both causes and manners of death remain under investigation.
The investigation into these criminal acts continue, with law enforcement remaining dedicated to seeking justice for the victims and safeguarding the community’s well-being. Given the gravity of the crimes, ISP is grateful for the considerable media attention, valuable community tips, and collaborative efforts by all law enforcement agencies, which played a pivotal role in resolving this case.
As this case remains an active investigation, we do not anticipate any additional updates in the near future.
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Previously released: March 21, 2024 4:23pm
Law enforcement arrest two after inmate escape
MERIDIAN, Idaho – Since 2:00 a.m. yesterday, law enforcement agencies across Idaho have investigated and searched for escaped inmate Skylar Meade and shooting suspect Nicholas Umphenour. Just after 2:00 p.m. today, law enforcement located and arrested both males in Twin Falls, Idaho after a vehicle pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The suspects were taken into custody with no further incident or injury.
When the investigation expanded statewide, the Idaho State Police (ISP) began the collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Following tips and investigative leads, authorities believe the suspects fled northbound from the Treasure Valley to northcentral Idaho. Through their investigation, detectives located the Honda Civic, used in the escape, near Leland, Idaho. Additionally, law enforcement is investigating two homicides, in separate locations of Nez Perce and Clearwater counties, that are potentially tied to the escape.
Both homicides involve adult male victims and detectives are actively investigating. No further information is available for release on the homicides and the county coroner will provide identity as well as the official cause and manner of death.
Law enforcement believes the capture was successful due to the hundreds of tips from the public and the multiple responding law enforcement agencies.
ISP will continue to investigate the homicides and provide updates on those investigations as well and updates on the arrests in Twin Falls. The Boise Police Department will continue to investigate the inmate escape and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the officer involved shooting.
Anyone with relevant information or tips on this incident is asked to call the Statewide Tip Line at 1-833-610-1026.
NEWS RELEASES FROM THE BOISE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Previously released: March 20, 2024 5:18pm
Updated: BPD identifies shooting suspect and vehicle; obtains arrest warrant
Boise Police detectives have identified the man suspected of being involved in the overnight shooting of IDOC officers as Nicholas Umphenour. Officers have obtained a warrant for Umphenour’s arrest on two charges of Aggravated Battery against law enforcement and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape. The warrant has a two million dollar bond. 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. Call 911 or Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.
Suspect: Nicholas Umphenour is described as being 5’11”, about 160 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Warrant: Aggravated Battery against law enforcement (2 counts) and one charge of aiding and abetting an escape.
BPD’s investigation led them to identify Umphenour as a suspect and confirmed that he is an associate of Skylar Meade. At this time, it is unknown exactly where they are or where they are headed. Officers have also identified the license plate and vehicle they fled in and are continuing to look for the vehicle.
Vehicle description: The vehicle is a Grey 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2TDF43U.
The investigation is ongoing.
Suspect: Nicholas Umphenour is described as being 5’11”, about 160 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
The vehicle is a Grey 2020 Honda Civic with license plate 2TDF43U.
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Previously released: March 20, 2024, 12:09 pm
Update: Investigators provide updated photos of escaped IDOC inmate
Boise Police investigators are providing updated photos of suspect Skylar Meade. Meade is approximately 5’06”, 150 lbs. He is considered armed and dangerous so if you come in contact with him, do not approach. Call 911 or Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.
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Previously released: March 20, 2024, 9:24 am
Update: Officers continue to search for shooting suspects, Three IDOC officers injured
Officers across the Treasure Valley are continuing to search for the two suspects mentioned in the previous news release.
This incident began at 2:15 am as Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC) officers had transported IDOC inmate Skylar Meade to Saint Alphonsus for medical treatment. As they were preparing to leave to transport Meade back to IDOC, an unknown suspect attacked and fired at the officers, striking two of them.
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. That individual was later determined to be an IDOC employee. He was not seriously injured and is receiving treatment for his injuries. 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.
Meade has been serving time in IDOC for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and has prior convictions including felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. He has been incarcerated since October 2016 and his most recent sentence was set to end October 2036.
In total, three IDOC officers were injured. One officer, shot by the suspect is in critical but stable condition. The second officer shot by the suspect has serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The third IDOC officer was injured during gunfire from a responding BPD officer and received non-life-threatening injuries.
“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. 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,” said Chief Ron Winegar. “We caution 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.”
Boise police are leading the search for the two outstanding suspects. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is leading the Ada County Critical Incident Taskforce (CITF) investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
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Previously released: March 20, 2024 6:16 am
Original: Officers searching for outstanding suspects following shooting on N. Curtis Rd
Boise police are leading the search for the two outstanding suspects. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is leading the Ada County Critical Incident Taskforce (CITF) investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Officers are searching for two suspects following a shooting at Saint Alphonsus shortly after 2 am. Officers have secured the scene. Boise Police are looking for two outstanding suspects last seen traveling in a grey four-door sedan, possibly a Honda Civic with ID plates. One suspect, pictured here, is escaped IDOC inmate Skylar Meade. Both suspects are known to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to call Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790.
The hospital was placed on a temporary modified lockdown but has since resumed normal operations. An officer-involved shooting occurred during the response to this incident and more information will be released soon. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office is leading the Critical Incident Task Force investigation.
