King may have been on the move
Police believe accused killer could have had several hiding places
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Denecho King is believed to have hid in several locations throughout the city prior to being found in a housing unit on Sissons Court Saturday morning, police say.
"We can confirm that we suspect he was moving to different locations during the three-day search, thus the police activity that was all over Yellowknife," RCMP civilian member Marie York-Condon stated in an e-mail Tuesday.
The force declined an interview request.
King, 23, had escaped Wednesday from the North Slave Correctional Centre. He was found in a home on Sissons, an area with multiple rowhouses, by police through "investigational techniques" and tips from the public. Between 25 to 30 RCMP officers were involved at the height of the search, police have stated.
"We followed up on any and all sightings reported around the city, and followed the investigational leads," York-Condon stated. "Ultimately, this led us to King at the residence where he was apprehended."
RCMP officers were going door to door around 8 a.m., Sissons Court resident Leroy Mantla said. Police confirmed King was in a unit and a crisis negotiator established contact with the occupants. How many people were inside remains unclear. By 9 a.m., officers with weapons drawn could be seen around the buildings as more officers arrived. About 30 minutes later, an officer began giving instructions to King over a loudspeaker. After about 30 minutes more, King left the unit through the front door and was led away in handcuffs to a waiting police truck.
"Through the hard work and professional conduct of our RCMP members, we were able to bring this search to a successful conclusion without incident," Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander Insp. Matt Peggs stated in a news release.
"We would be remiss not to also thank the citizens of Yellowknife for their cooperation and support, it assisted in the successful conclusion."
Police stated King will face a single charge of being unlawfully at large. They haven't answered questions that linger, including when officers first arrived at Sissons Court; whether the unit was previously checked by officers during the search; what connection, if any, King has to the residence; who else was in the unit with him Saturday morning; and whether anyone will be charged for aiding King during his time outside the jail, which RCMP made a point last week of raising as a possibility.
"The investigation is ongoing, therefore we cannot speculate as to if, or when, charges of this nature may be considered," York-Condon stated, adding if someone is charged a news release will be issued.
King was back at the North Slave Correctional Centre on Saturday after a few hours at the RCMP station.
The Justice Department won't speak to whether he has been placed in segregation or under more restrictions than before.
