Two firefighters were killed and residents were ordered to evacuate, but the order was lifted after police found the dead man in the woods.
Two firefighters killed in an Idaho sniper ambush
Two firefighters were tragically killed, while a third was seriously injured in an ambush by at least one sniper while responding to a wildfire in Idaho.
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An Idaho sniper began flames and fatally shot two responded firefighters in an ambush attack before he died hours later, authorities said.
The discovery of the body at Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking destination outside of Coeur D’Alene city, culminated in a six-hour frenzy where around 300 local, state and federal officers flocked to the area. It started with a suspect who has not yet been identified by police, then set it on fire early in the afternoon before shooting the first responder who came out to put it out.
A third firefighter was also shot dead but was undergoing surgery and is in stable condition, Cootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said at a press conference.
“It was a complete ambush,” he told reporters. “These firefighters didn’t have a chance.”
Authorities used cell phone location data to find the shooter’s body and a nearby firearm, Norris said. It is unclear how the suspect died, but Norris said law enforcement in response to the shooting had exchanged a shootout with him.
As investigators were searching for the shooter’s motive, firefighters resumed their fight against the flames, which had grown to 20 acres by late Sunday night, Norris said. Firefighters will keep the fire down all night before investigators search the area more thoroughly. Norris said he believes that more weapons will be found in the mountain terrain.
“(Today) is a day we will never forget in this community,” Cootenai County Commissioner Chairman Bruce Mattare said at a press conference. “It was the day when evil showed its face and we lost two excellent experts of the best quality.”
Canfield Mountain Attack Timeline
At 1:21pm local time, emergency dispatchers received a call reporting the fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain, Norris said. The caller has not revealed his name and is not considered a gunman.
Firefighters arrived at the scene and firefighters were broadcast at 2pm and fired fire.
Hundreds of law enforcement responded to the shooting scene. Officers traded firefights with suspects, Norris said.
Investigators used cell phone location data to discover a man they believed to be a suspect in Canfield Mountain, which had not moved after 3:16pm.
After 7:40pm, the Kootenai Sheriff’s Office announced that the man had been found dead and he raised the shelter in turn.
What do we know about firefighters?
Authorities did not publicly identify the firefighters who were killed and injured in the attack.
Norris told reporters that one of the murdered firefighters worked for the Cootenai County Fire Service, while the other worked for the Kool Darene Fire Station. The firefighter injured in the shooting also worked at the Coeur D’Alene Fire Station.
A procession was held for firefighters on Sunday night, Norris said.
A group of law enforcement agencies: “The Beautiful Horn of the World”: Locals
Nancy Murren, a longtime resident of Coeur D’Alene, said her quiet neighborhood was swarming up with law enforcement as authorities responded to a deadly attack at Canfield Mountain.
Mullen, who frequently hikes the Canfield Mountain Trail, said helicopters surrounded the forested area for hours, and a huge amount of law enforcement was on the ground.
That’s not what you’ve seen for over 30 years in Kohl Dahlene, a lush city in northwestern Idaho, about 30 miles east of Spokane, Washington.
“We have a beautiful corner of the world here. It’s wonderful and peaceful,” she said.
Mullen said he stopped listening to helicopters around the time law enforcement lifted the shelter and it was revealed that the man had died in Canfield Mountain.
Mullen said he hopes the authorities can concentrate on the fire, but he said the authorities are still burning and there is a risk of spreading. Mullen’s backyard is at the bottom of Canfield Mountain, and she and her husband said they would water their homes and gardens if wildfires were moving further.
Longtime residents said wildfires are common in northern Idaho, but there have been no major wildfires in Canfield Mountain for at least a decade.
Two firefighters died and three injured
The International Firefighters Association said in a post on X that two of its members were killed in an ambush and a third member remains in surgery.
“While responding to the fire early today at Coeur D’Alene in Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed for violent acts,” the union said. “Store them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
Kim Anderson, a spokesman for the Kootenai Health Hospital System, told USA Today the facility received two deceased firefighters and another person injured in the attack. She said she was unaware of the injured victim’s condition and she said she had postponed additional questions to local law enforcement.
Authorities tell civilians to avoid Canfield Mountain due to the fire
Authorities are urging civilians to avoid the area as law enforcement and firefighters tackle the crisis and deal with the ongoing crisis. However, the more stringent shelters have lifted the order.
The agency also dedicated a “no-fly zone” to Canfield Mountain.
“The ongoing incident at Canfield Mountain has designated the area as a no-fly zone, including a strict ban on drone use,” the agency said. “Unauthorized aircraft or drones in this area pose serious risks to fire and law enforcement operations.”
FBI tactical team responds to shooting
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post from X that the tactical team responded to the scene of the shooting.
“It remains an active and extremely dangerous scene,” he said.
“At this point, we can see that the Salt Lake City Field Office targeting Idaho is providing assistance. We will be introducing the Cootenai County Sheriff’s Office for further information,” said Sandra Barker, a spokesman for the FBI area.
Attorney General Pam Bondy offered his prayers as federal and local governments responded to the attack. “Thank you to the incredible @FBI agents on the ground who support local governments in Idaho,” she wrote about X.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem said in a post by X that the federal agency is “actively monitoring the Kohl Darene scene.”
“Pray for your first responder in Idaho,” she said. “Justice is provided.”
– Christopher Kang, Josh Meyer
Canfield Mountain is a hiker’s destination
The Canfield Mountain Area, where the shooting took place, is a destination for hikers and mountain bikers.
According to the city of Caeur D’Alene, the Canfield Mountain Natural Area is a 24-acre park. The satellite photo shows a mountain covered with forests.
According to a Forest Service fact sheet, the area has more than 25 miles of trails.
Sheriff Kootenai Norris said at an afternoon press conference that law enforcement is still working to clear the civilian field.
US Senator watching Idaho
US senators Idaho Mike Krapo and Jim Riche said they were monitoring the situation and offered prayers to their first responders and victims.
“I’m monitoring a horrifying report from Coeur D’Alene tonight, and I’m urging local residents to follow law enforcement recommendations,” Crapo said. “My prayers are with the victim and the first responder.”
Riche condemned the attack.
“Vicki and I will join all Idahoans who mourn the heroic first responders who were murdered and others injured in their Cootenai County duties,” he said in a social media statement. “This villain’s attack on those who devote their lives to protecting and serving our community is mean and sleazy, not Idaho.”
Idaho GOP Chair Dorosie Moon said in a statement that she was standing with her first responder and praying for the victim’s family.
“I pray that the shooters will be stopped before more harm is produced. There is Godspeed in the law enforcement officers on the ground,” Moon said.
– Christopher Kang
Where is Coeurd’Alene?
The attack on firefighters took place outside Kohl Dahlene, a small city in northwestern Idaho.
U.S. census data estimates state that the population is over 57,000.
Located in Cootenai County, it is the north part of the Kohl d’Arrane Native American Reservation. According to the latest census estimates, Cootenai is adjacent to Washington state, with over 188,000 people.
How big is the fire?
Authorities said the flames began as a half-acre wildfire.
Authorities said three fire engines were sent to the scene.
Authorities said the fire continued to burn as authorities tried to find a potential shooter.
