At least two people were killed after a shooter opened fire on firefighters called to a wildfire at Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene in Idaho on Sunday, June 29 at 1:21 p.m. local time.
The suspected gunman has since been found dead.
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Firefighters were responding to a fire
According to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, firefighters were responding to a brush fire at Canfield Mountain Natural Area, on Sunday, June 29.
The area is a 24-acre public park in Coeur d’Alene that holds hiking trails and heavy brush.
They reported being shot at an hour later
The first report regarding a fire was received at 1:21 p.m. but at around 2 p.m., firefighters at the scene reported being shot at, per ABC News.
The attack, which has since been labeled an ambush, left two people dead and another injured.
The County Sheriff gave an update
In a press briefing, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said that two people killed were fire personnel.
“This was a total ambush,” he said. “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
Hundreds of law enforcement officers were sent to the scene
Norris said that after firefighters reported they were being shot at, around 300 law enforcement officers moved to the scene where some of them exchanged gunfire with the suspected shooter.
The gunfire exchange lasted multiple hours.
Law enforcement were told to neutralize the suspect
According to ABC News, at 6:30 p.m., those at the scene were told that the suspect needs to be neutralized as soon as possible.
A notification that the suspect was dead was received around an hour later at 7:40 p.m.
Officials believe there was only one shooter
Although unsure about the number of shooters for a portion of the situation, officials now believe there was only one shooter, Norris said.
This is based on the trajectory of the fire and the weapon found near the suspect’s body.
An investigation is ongoing
After the hourslong situation, law enforcement are now investigating whether the fire had been intentionally set to lure first responders to the scene, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard said, per ABC News.
It was a multi-agency manhunt
Local law enforcement in Kootenai County received assistance from the FBI. They were also offered help by the White House.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has since been briefed on the shooting according to the outlet.
The governor of Idaho condemned the attack
In a post on X, Idaho Gov. Brad Little condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.”
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,” he wrote. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
