Two dead as firefighters ambushed in 'heinous' sniper attack
At least two people have died after firefighters were ambushed in a "heinous" sniper attack during a job.
The victims, thought both to be fire service personnel, were attacked at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, as assailants hid in rugged terrain. Police dashed to the scene and were instructed to fire back at the thugs, who were using high-powered rifles in ugly scenes, for which a motive has not yet been identified.
Idaho's Governor Brad Little said: "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."
Armed police and other highly trained units have arrived on scene in Idaho.
The FBI and US Forest Service are also actively involved in the response.
#BREAKING: Heavily armored and highly trained police units have arrived on scene in Idaho. The FBI, DHS, and U.S. Forest Service are also actively involved in the response. pic.twitter.com/qlCNZQOf4j
Firefighters were ambushed by sniper fire while responding to a blaze in a northern Idaho mountain community Sunday, killing at least two people.
The horror unleashed barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor called a "heinous" assault. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30 p.m., and gunshots were reported about a half hour later.
Sheriff Bob Norris said officials believe the two people killed were fire personnel. He didn't know if anyone else was shot.
'We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," Norris told reporters at a news conference. "We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
8 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Gunman started blaze before shooting two firefighters dead in Idaho
A third firefighter was injured during a barrage of gunfire over several hours, authorities said. A shelter-in-place order was lifted on Sunday night after a tactical response team used mobile phone data to home in on a wooded area where they found the suspect's body with a firearm nearby as flames rapidly approached, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said. Officials did not release his name. 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,' Norris said at a Sunday night news conference. 'These firefighters did not have a chance.' Sheriff's officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1.30pm (8.30pm BST) on Sunday, and gunshots were reported about a half hour later. 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. As this… — Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) June 29, 2025 Investigators said the gunman acted alone. Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries. The wounded firefighter was 'fighting for his life' after surgery and was in stable condition, Mr Norris said. Mr Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. Just as the evening press conference was expected to begin, the bodies of the firefighters arrived in the nearby city of Spokane, Washington, escorted by a procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles. Firefighters and others saluted as the vehicles passed by. The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a statement: 'We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues.' Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the city's outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and criss-crossed with trails that lead into a national forest.
Sky News
25 minutes ago
- Sky News
Sniper starts fire then kills two firefighters in 'total ambush'
A sniper started a fire and then killed two firefighters he had lured to the scene in Idaho, a local sheriff has said. A third firefighter underwent surgery after being wounded, Bob Norris, the sheriff of Kootenai County, said. "We do believe that the suspect started the fire," Mr Norris told a news conference. "This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance." Officers said they were "taking sniper fire" near the city of Coeur d'Alene on Sunday afternoon, with crews responding to a fire at Canfield Mountain. Mr Norris said the gunman had used high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders. The ambush continued for several hours. The shooter was described as being in an area with "heavy brush" and "well prepared and blending in" with his surroundings. Initially it was unclear how many perpetrators were involved. More than 300 officers from city, county, state and federal levels responded. Two helicopters were deployed with snipers onboard. Sheriff Norris said he instructed his deputies to fire back. Speaking while the attack was ongoing, Mr Norris said: "I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralise, because they're not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender." First responders could be heard making urgent calls for help on their radios: "Everybody's shot up here... send law enforcement now," one dispatch said. Later, the sheriff's office said members of a "SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain", adding that a "firearm was found nearby". It is unclear whether the gunman was hit and killed or if he killed himself. Mr Norris said officers were working to identify the suspect, while a motive is not yet known. Officers were likely to find more guns at the scene on Monday once the fire was extinguished, he said, but did not provide more details on weapons already recovered. Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," he said on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." The president of the International Association of Firefighters, Edward Kelly, said on social media that firefighters were "ambushed in a heinous act of violence", adding: "Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery." The FBI sent technical teams and tactical support to the scene, deputy director Dan Bongino said. The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a statement: "We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues."
STV News
33 minutes ago
- STV News
Two firefighters shot dead in Idaho
A man in northern Idaho shot and killed two firefighters, wounding one other, after starting a fire and initiating a gunfight with first responders that lasted several hours. Authorities gave the update after lifting a shelter-in-place order, though cautioned people to remain wary as the fire was still burning. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said a tactical response team had used cell phone date to 'hone in' on a wooded area where they found the suspect's body with a firearm nearby. 'We do believe that the suspect started the fire, and we do believe that it was an ambush and it was intentional,' Norris said at a Sunday night news conference. 'These firefighters did not have a chance.' Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of gun was found. Locals wave a fire department flag in solidarity with the two firefighters killed in the attack. / Credit: AP Officials said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain just north of Coeur d'Alene around 1:30pm, and gunshots were reported about half an hour later. Investigators said the gunman acted alone. Three victims were brought to Kootenai Health, said hospital spokesperson Kim Anderson. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said. The wounded firefighter was 'fighting for his life' after surgery and was in stable condition. First responders made urgent calls for help on their radios: 'Everybody's shot up here … send law enforcement now,' according to one dispatch. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. Governor Brad Little said 'multiple' firefighting personnel were attacked. 'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said on X. 'I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Norris said it appeared the sniper was hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. The Idaho House Republican Leadership said in a statement: 'We are horrified by the murder of two firefighters in Coeur d'Alene, and shocked by such a vicious attack on our first responders. We are praying for them, the injured, their families and their colleagues.' Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. Canfield Mountain is a popular hiking and biking area on the city's outskirts, covered with trees and heavy brush and crisscrossed with trails that lead into a national forest. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know… Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
