A tragic incident unfolded in northern Idaho when a gunman ambushed and fatally shot two firefighters who were bravely responding to a forest fire. One additional firefighter was also wounded during this prolonged ordeal, which ultimately ended with the suspect being found deceased, as reported by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
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During this unsettling incident at Canfield Mountain—a popular hiking zone near Coeur d’Alene, roughly 420 km east of Seattle—law enforcement and firefighters found themselves under sniper fire. Sheriff Bob Norris emphasized the severity of the situation by stating, “We do believe that the suspect started the fire. This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.
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The condition of a third firefighter remains critical as he fights for his life after undergoing surgery; currently, he is reported to be stable, according to Sheriff Norris.
The motives behind the shooting remain unclear, and specific details about the suspect have not been released, as authorities continue their investigation.
During this tense standoff, over 300 law enforcement officers from various agencies—city, county, state, and federal—rushed to the scene. This included two helicopters outfitted with snipers. Sheriff Norris indicated that the shooter was equipped with a high-powered sporting rifle, discharging rounds rapidly at first responders, and there was initial uncertainty regarding the number of shooters involved.
The sheriff chose not to disclose further details on the weapons recovered, suggesting that more firearms might be discovered as investigation efforts progressed and the fire was brought under control.
Firefighters came under gunfire almost immediately upon their arrival, uncertain of the attack’s origin. The suspect was ultimately located through cell phone tracking, and his body was evacuated by a SWAT team as the fire encroached.
Footage captured from the scene revealed plumes of smoke rising from the heavily wooded hillsides and armed responders gearing up for action, with multiple ambulances and emergency vehicles seen arriving at a nearby hospital.
As FBI deputy director Dan Bongino noted on X, “FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support.
” The first distress call regarding the fire was received at 1:21 PM local time, and about 40 minutes later, reports indicated that firefighters were being shot at.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the assault, remarking on X, “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.
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Gun violence continues to be a pressing concern across the nation; in 2023 alone, an estimated 17,927 individuals lost their lives to gun-related incidents in the United States, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
