Inmate’s escape from Port Alberni funeral shocks mourners

CHEK

RCMP in the Alberni Valley continue to search for an escaped prisoner. Inmate David Blackmore was transported on an escorted pass from the Nanaimo Correctional Centre to attend his mother’s funeral in Port Alberni Tuesday when he fled out the backdoor of the chapel to the shock of mourners and his guard. Skye Ryan has more.

All eyes are peeled in Port Alberni for escaped prisoner David Blackmore who fled custody in the most brazen of ways.

READ MORE: Escorted prisoner escapes while attending mother?s funeral in Port Alberni

“I was shocked,” says Port Alberni resident Tim Jones, who has become familiar with Blackmore at the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen. “I was shocked about it for him to take off through the back door like that,” he said.

Blackmore, who was serving time at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre for drug offences and possession of stolen property was out on an escorted pass Tuesday to attend his beloved mother Adeline’s funeral. The woman was so adored in Alberni that the chapel at Yates Funeral Home was packed as the mother was honoured.

Then the day turned sideways. RCMP say Blackmore took the opportunity to escape out the chapel’s backdoor after the 1 p.m. service had begun to the shock of the corrections officer assigned to supervise him and mourners alike.

“The service was over and I guess they were looking for him and he took off somewhere,” said Port Alberni resident Lillian Campbell, who attended the funeral.

“It was shocking because I thought he’d respect his mom and behave that you came to your mom’s funeral it’s nice to be there then he done that right.”

The Alberni woman is also critical though of what she saw on Blackmore’s escorted pass that she says looked too relaxed for her.

“The Correctional Officer wasn’t really paying attention to him to me,” said Campbell. “He let him wander everywhere.”

RCMP descended on the area around the chapel Monday afternoon but Cpl. Amelia Hayden says they weren’t notified by corrections until 25 minutes after Blackmore was found to be missing.

“And we have been looking for Mr. Blackmore ever since,” says Cpl. Amelia Hayden. “And at this point, we’re really asking the public to come forward and let us know where David Blackmore is.”

The 45-year-old is described at 6 feet tall, 160 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. RCMP say if you see him, don’t approach but call 911 immediately.

Skye RyanSkye Ryan

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