Anyone helping escaped inmate may face criminal charges: RCMP

RCMP are warning the public that anyone helping Denecho King, who escaped from Yellowknife's jail Wednesday, may face criminal charges.

"Anyone withholding information on the whereabouts of King ... that knowingly withholds this information and assists King in any way may be subject to charges under the Criminal Code of Canada," said Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander Insp. Matt Peggs.

"It is a serious offence to escape lawful custody and a serious offence to aid in any way, before, during or after the fact, this escape from lawful custody."

• Anyone with information is asked to call765-3956.

King, who is charged with murder and attempted murder, escaped from Yellowknife's jail at about 11:15 a.m. onWednesday.

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.

Addressing Yellowknife residents,Peggstold them to"be vigilant and look after your own personal safety."

"Regular safety tips should apply. Be aware of your surroundings. Lock your doors. Know where your family is, and above all, apply common sense.

"We ask you not to approachKing under any circumstances. Call the RCMP and we will attend."

Search continues

He thanked the public for their tips and for their co-operation in trafficcheckstops.

When asked how long the search will continue, Peggs said "Until we find him."

He said every available officer from every unit was assigned to the search on Wednesday, including the emergency response team, police dog services and officers from neighbouring detachments.

"We'll continueto use the necessary resources," he said.

Few details on escape

According to the N.W.T. Department of Justice, it's the first time anyone has escaped from the North Slave Correctional Centresince it was built in 2004.

The department sayscorrections officials have determined what area of the facility King escaped from, but itis not releasing those details.

However, it says inmates are now restricted from that area.

Peggssaid the details of King's escape are part of the investigation and would not be released.

In a news release yesterday, the Department of Justice saidacritical incident review "will be completed to determine the circumstances and improvements required."

Doug Seed, who lives in the new neighbourhood beside the jail, says he's keeping his doors locked and hopes the fugitive is long gone.

"The thought is, if he escaped from the prison behind us, he's likely somewhere other than this place," he said.

"If a fellow's leaving this close, you'd think he'd move on, but then again, outside of the City of Yellowknife there isn't a lot in the surrounding area, so I'm sure there'll be some concern for the neighbourhood yet and the city."

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.

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

The two men were found seriously injured in an apartment on the third floor ofSunridgePlace on Yellowknife's51 Avenue.Wifladtdied later in hospital.Dignesswasmedevacedto Edmonton for treatment.

King was charged five months later.

RCMP ask anyone whobelieves they've spotted Kingor hasseen anything suspicious to callthe Yellowknife detachment phone lineat 867-765-3956.