Three prison officers shot as inmate dramatically broken out of Idaho hospital by gunman

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Skylar Meade had been transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for medical treatment.Photo byauthor (licensed under CC BY 2.0)

Three Idaho Department of Corrections officers were shot during an inmate's escape from a Boise hospital. Authorities are now seeking two suspects: the escaped inmate and the individual who attacked and fired at the officers.

The incident unfolded at 2:15 am on Wednesday when inmate Skylar Meade was being taken to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center for medical care.

Following treatment, as officers were preparing to return Meade to a correctional facility, an unidentified assailant launched an attack, injuring two officers in the process.

Subsequent officers arrived at the hospital in response to the shooting, prompting a lockdown as authorities scoured the premises for the suspects.

In the chaos, one officer discharged his weapon at an armed figure near the hospital entrance, later revealed to be a fellow correctional officer.

It was determined that Meade and the assailant fled the scene in a grey four-door sedan just moments before additional officers arrived.

Out of the shot officers, one is in critical but stable condition, another has serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and the third is also being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Meade has been in prison since October 2016, with his current sentence set to end in October 2036.

He is serving time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a firearm enhancement and has prior convictions for felony possession of a controlled substance, grand theft, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, according to police.

Boise police, with assistance from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, are actively searching for the suspects involved in the incident.

In response to the attack, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar expressed shock, stating, "This brazen, violent, and coordinated assault on Idaho Department of Corrections staff in an attempt to facilitate the escape of a dangerous inmate occurred right outside the Emergency Department, where individuals seek medical assistance, often in critical situations.

Upon arrival, BPD officers entered the Emergency Department believing the shooter was still inside. Their primary objective was to ensure the safety of the Emergency Room staff and address any potential ongoing threat without hesitation.

“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,” the chief concluded, adding that the men are armed and dangerous.

Anyone who may come into contact with the men is encouraged to call 911.