Skylar Meade : “Boise hospital shooting suspect linked to Aryan Knights – Who are they?”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Aryan Knights member Boise hospital shooting
2. Suspect fleeing Boise hospital shooting – Aryan Knights

The Idaho Statesman reports that Skylar Meade, a suspected member of the Aryan Knights gang, was involved in an attack on Idaho Department of Correction officers at a Boise hospital. Meade, who was being transported back to prison, was treated for self-inflicted injuries when another suspect, Nicholas Umphenour, shot two officers. The Aryan Knights, a white supremacist gang, originated in Idaho in the 1990s and primarily operates in Idaho prisons. The gang’s leader, Harlan Hale, was sentenced to life in federal prison for racketeering charges in 2021. Police are actively searching for the suspects involved in the attack.

The Incident at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center

In a recent incident at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, a man suspected to be involved in an attack on Idaho Department of Correction officers has raised concerns among law enforcement officials. The man, identified as Skylar Meade, 31, was being transported back to prison from the hospital when another suspect, Nicholas Umphenour, 28, attacked the officers in the ambulance bay, resulting in two officers being shot. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle before the police could arrive.

Member of Aryan Knights Gang

Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar revealed that Skylar Meade is a documented member of the Aryan Knights gang, a white supremacist group closely linked to Idaho. Meade’s tattoos, including “AK” on his stomach and the numbers “1” and “11” on his face, are common among Aryan Knights members. The gang, founded in the 1990s, primarily operates within Idaho prisons, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in the District of Idaho.

Blue Alert Issued

Following the incident, Idaho State Police issued a Blue Alert for Skylar Meade, considering him a public threat. The Aryan Knights gang has reportedly expanded to over 100 members, both inside and outside of IDOC custody. The group engages in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and gambling, sharing the proceeds among its members.

Prosecution of Gang Leader

The leader of the Aryan Knights gang, Harlan Hale, was sentenced to life in federal prison in 2021 for racketeering charges. Idaho’s U.S. attorney, Josh Hurwit, spearheaded the prosecution against Hale, highlighting the detrimental impact of white supremacist prison gangs on correctional institutions and inmates seeking rehabilitation.

The incident at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with gang-related violence. As investigations continue, authorities are focused on apprehending the suspects and ensuring the safety of the community. The Aryan Knights gang’s presence in Idaho prisons raises concerns about the prevalence of white supremacist ideologies and criminal activities within the state’s correctional system.