Topline
Two firefighters were killed and another was injured after they were ambushed by a sniper while responding to a wildfire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday, prompting a several-hour-long shelter-in-place order, which was lifted after police found a deceased man next to a firearm in the vicinity of the shooting.
Key Facts
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said the firefighters were shot at around 1:30 p.m. local time after responding to a wildfire in the Canfield Mountain, north of Coeur d’Alene.
The sheriff’s office said shots were fired again—30 minutes after the firefighters were shot—as law enforcement authorities responded to the scene.
A shelter-in-place order remained in effect for several hours as people were urged to “stay away” from the Canfield Mountain and the area was designated a “no-fly zone”.
The shelter-in-place was lifted after members of a SWAT team located a “deceased male on Canfield Mountain” with a firearm nearby.
In a Facebook post, Kootenai County Emergency Management said a wildfire was still burning on Canfield Mountain as firefighting efforts had to be paused while police were hunting for the shooter.
What Do We Know About The Shooting Victims?
The International Associated of Firefighters, a union representing firefighters, tweeted: “While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery.” According to the Associated Press, all three victims were taken to the nearby Kootenai Health hospital. Two were declared dead on arrival while the third was treated for his injuries. The condition of the injured firefighter remains unknown.
Crucial Quote
In a statement on X, Idaho Gov. Brad Little said: “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken.”
This is a developing story.