ADA COUNTY, Idaho — Skylar Meade and Nicholas Umphenour, the two men involved in a fugitive escape and shooting at Saint Alphonsus, were arraigned in an Ada County Courthouse on Mar. 25. A judge set both of their preliminary hearing trials for April 8 at 8:30 a.m.
Umphenour was first to go before the judge via Zoom from the Ada County Jail. When asking to keep bail maintained at $2 million, the state said that he was involved in a "preplanned violent ambush," was "an extreme risk to the community," and was being investigated for other felonies. Further, investigation had uncovered Umphenour had recently travelled to the state of Florida, and intended to go back.
The judge maintained his bail at $2 million.
Meade also went before the judge through Zoom but was kept in his cell. For his felony escape charges his bail was also maintained at $2 million. The state said he was also being investigated for other felonies in North Idaho. The judge set his preliminary trial date and then addressed Meade's fugitive warrant.
Meade waived his right to an identification hearing by admitting he was the person in the warrant and signed a waiver in front of the judge. The judge then said Meade would be returned to the custody of the Department of Corrections until his trial date.
As KTVB previously reported, at approximately 2 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, Meade was transported by ambulance to Saint Alphonsus to receive medical treatment for self-inflicted wounds to his face and body, according to Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) Director Josh Tewalt. Two IDOC officers accompanied Meade in the ambulance with additional armed IDOC staff following behind.
After Meade was treated, IDOC staff were preparing to transport him back to the prison when an unknown suspect, later identified as Umphenour, fired gunshots at officers hitting two of them, BPD said.
Three officers in total were injured. Officials said one officer is in critical but stable condition, another sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and the third officer that was allegedly struck by a BPD officer received care for the non-life-threatening injuries.
The two suspects then fled.
At approximately 2 p.m. Thursday, Meade and Umphenour were located and arrested in Twin Falls County following a short vehicle pursuit. Tonia Huber, 52, was also arrested on charges of eluding authorities and possession of a controlled substance. It is unclear what her connection is to the two men.
Additionally, Idaho State Police (ISP) said Meade and Umphenour are being investigated for potential involvement in two northern Idaho homicides, one in Clearwater County and one in Nez Perce County.
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