What began as a response to a small brush fire on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, ended in a horrifying act of violence.
Two firefighters were killed and another was seriously injured after being ambushed by a gunman Sunday afternoon, according to local authorities.
”Everybody’s shot up here”
Several firefighters were shot by an unidentified gunman after being dispatched to a wildfire near a popular outdoor recreation area in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon.A firefighter urgently called for help over the radio, telling EMS, “We need law enforcement up here immediately,” according to audio obtained by CNN.
The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. when firefighters responded to reports of a small brush fire. About 30 minutes later, shots rang out from the woods. An unknown assailant had apparently been lying in wait.t’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,” the firefighter said.
“Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone,” he added.
“Everybody’s shot up here.”
Two killed
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed in a press briefing that the two individuals killed are believed to be fire personnel, according to ABC7.
According to a statement posted on X by the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union representing firefighters, members were targeted during a response to a fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The post reads, “While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence.”
It goes on to say, “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
During a Sunday evening press conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris revealed the tense and dangerous conditions facing his team.
“We are actively taking sniper fire,” he stated, emphasizing the severity of the unfolding crisis.
“This is a very, very fresh situation,” Norris added.
Suspect found dead
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that a SWAT team later discovered a deceased male on the mountain with a firearm nearby. The man is believed to be the suspect behind the deadly shooting.
Authorities are investigating the chilling possibility that the fire was intentionally set to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
“We’re looking into whether the fire may have been used to draw first responders to the scene,” Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News.
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told CNN that getting a call about firefighters coming under gunfire was “a worst case scenario” for law enforcement.
He described the “chilling audio” as a clear sign that lives were in immediate danger and people needed urgent rescue.
”Almost like a battlefield scene”
“You feel for the firefighters that were calling that in,” Davis said, “because there were literally people that were bleeding to death on the ground, and they were pinned down behind their fire truck. So very troubling situation, almost like a battlefield scene.”
The FBI has joined the investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security has also been briefed, a DHS official told ABC News.
The Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas had been placed under a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. However, residents are still urged to remain alert due to the ongoing fire situation.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In a statement on X, he added, “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
