'Be vigilant and stay safe': Search continues for escaped inmate in Yellowknife

RCMP have set up a dedicated phoneline to collecttipson the whereabouts of a mancharged withmurder and attempted murder who escaped from Yellowknife'sjail Wednesdaymorning.

• Anyone with information is asked to call765-3956. After 2 a.m. call 669-1111

DenechoKingescaped from custody at the North Slave Correctional Centre at about 11:15 a.m.

King, 23, is described as 5 foot 8 and 150 pounds, withlight facial hair (mustache) and a short crew cut.He was last seen wearing a green shirt and greysweatpants, though police advise he may have changedhis clothing.

"He's been described as dangerous and he's facingserious charges so we want everybodyto be as safe as possible,"saidRCMPspokesperson MarieYork-Condon. "We can't predicthis actions.

"We are asking the public to not approach him in any circumstances. Just give theRCMPa call and we will respond.

"The key message is to be vigilant and stay safe."

2nd degree murder, attempted murder

King is charged with second-degree murder in the death of JohnWifladtand with the attempted murder ofColin Digness in December2014.

The two men were found seriously injured in an apartment on the third floor of Sunridge Place on Yellowknife's51 Avenue. Wifladtdied later in hospital.Digness was medevaced to Edmonton for treatment.

King was charged five months later.

• FROM MAY 2015 |Denecho King charged with murder, attempted murder in Sunridge attacks

Highway checkstop, Fieldhouse lockdown

RCMPofficers are stopping and searchingvehicles leavingthe city on Highway 3 near the Sandpits.

Both the Multiplex and theFieldhouse, two city-run recreational facilities located near the jail,are inlockdowndue to the escape.

City officials say the facilitiesare being closely supervised byRCMPand Municipal Enforcement Officers and all people visiting either buildingwill be asked for ID and the reason for their visit.

Sgt. Donnie Duplissea said they've called in extra members to help with the search.

"If you've got an RCMP jersey, you're working today," he said.

Corrections to review critical incident

In a news releasethis afternoon, the N.W.T. Department of Justice says theinvestigation is in the hands of the RCMP with assistance and full co-operation from the Corrections Service.

"All critical incident procedures have been put into place," the release said.

It says acritical incident review "will be completed to determine the circumstances and improvements required."

RCMP ask anyone whobelieves they've spotted Kingor hasseen anything suspicious to callthe Yellowknife detachment phone lineat 867-765-3956, which will be monitored until 2 a.m. After 2 a.m., call 867-669-1111.