Two firefighters tragically lost their lives and another was injured in a sudden attack in Idaho on Sunday afternoon. The first responders were met with a prolonged hail of gunfire as they arrived at a fire scene, according to local authorities. The deadly assault, which unfolded around 2 p.m. on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d’Alene, concluded approximately five hours later when a man’s body was found next to a firearm on a well-known tourist trail by SWAT teams, as reported by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Bob Norris described the incident as a complete ambush, stating that the firefighters were caught off guard. He reassured the community that there was no longer an active threat following an extensive manhunt. The sheriff also confirmed that the deceased man, believed to be the sole shooter, was quickly removed from the scene due to an approaching fire.
The identity of the suspected shooter, the type of weapon found at the scene, and the cause of his death have not been disclosed by the police. The motive behind the attack is still under investigation, but authorities suspect that the fire was deliberately started to draw first responders into a lethal trap.
The two victims of the attack were a firefighter from Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue team. A third victim, another Coeur d’Alene firefighter, is currently recovering from surgery at Kootenai Health after being shot during the unexpected attack. The sheriff confirmed that the firefighter is in stable condition and fighting for his life. No other first responders or civilians were injured in the brutal attack.
The deadly shooting occurred approximately 30 minutes after first responders were called to a small but active brush fire on the east side of the mountain. As the fire crews began to combat the fire, they were suddenly met with gunfire from multiple directions from an assailant concealed in the woods.
The FBI, along with about 300 first responders from state and local agencies, provided tactical and operational support. Meanwhile, the nearly 20-acre brush fire continued to burn as authorities were preoccupied with responding to the shooting.
Idaho Governor Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area when shelter-in-place orders were issued for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and surrounding areas. The governor expressed his sorrow over the attack on the firefighters and asked for prayers for them and their families. Although the shelter-in-place orders have since been lifted, police have warned residents that the fire is still active.