Two US firefighters shot dead by sniper in Idaho mountains
A sniper has ambushed firefighters responding to a blaze in an Idaho mountain community, killing at least two people and unleashing barrages of gunfire over several hours in an attack the governor described as a 'heinous' assault.
The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office in the US said crews responded to a fire at Canfield Mountain around 1:30pm on Sunday local time in Idaho, and gunshots were reported about 30 minutes later.
Sheriff Bob Norris told reporters 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 said.
'We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak.'
People are still coming off the mountain, the sheriff said, so it 'would be safe to assume' that others were still up there.
Governor Brad Little said 'multiple' firefighters were attacked.
'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said.
'I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.'
Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said two firefighters had been killed.
Local news reports citing police scanners stated that multiple firefighters had been shot — but this could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters.
Authorities in western Idaho urged residents to take shelter.
The sheriff's office in neighbouring Soshone County said on Facebook authorities were 'dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large'.
No additional details were provided.
Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington.
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The Advertiser
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Suspected sniper's body found after firefighters killed
A man has been found dead near a firearm on a mountain in the US state of Idaho after two firefighters were shot dead in an ambush while attending a blaze. The Kootenai County Sheriff's department said a tactical response team found the dead man late on Sunday. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of firearm was found. Though the shelter-in-place order was lifted, the sheriff's office cautioned residents to be prepared because the fire was still burning. Sheriff Bob Norris had earlier said law enforcement officers and firefighters were taking sniper fire and urged people to stay clear of the area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers near Coeur d'Alene, about 420km east of Seattle. "This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "At this time, the shelter in place is being lifted, however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken." The sheriff said the shooter had used high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders, with law enforcement initially unsure of the number of perpetrators involved. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings," Norris added. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene. "FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. "It remains an active, and very dangerous scene." Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21pm on Sunday, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later, reports emerged that they were being shot at. "We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," Norris said. "We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak." Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," Little said. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." Norris said it appeared the sniper or snipers were hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings", he said. Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the country's constitution protects the rights of Americans to "keep and bear arms". Deaths related to gun violence are common - 17,927 people were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the US, according to the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. with reuters A man has been found dead near a firearm on a mountain in the US state of Idaho after two firefighters were shot dead in an ambush while attending a blaze. The Kootenai County Sheriff's department said a tactical response team found the dead man late on Sunday. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of firearm was found. Though the shelter-in-place order was lifted, the sheriff's office cautioned residents to be prepared because the fire was still burning. Sheriff Bob Norris had earlier said law enforcement officers and firefighters were taking sniper fire and urged people to stay clear of the area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers near Coeur d'Alene, about 420km east of Seattle. "This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "At this time, the shelter in place is being lifted, however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken." The sheriff said the shooter had used high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders, with law enforcement initially unsure of the number of perpetrators involved. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings," Norris added. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene. "FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. "It remains an active, and very dangerous scene." Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21pm on Sunday, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later, reports emerged that they were being shot at. "We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," Norris said. "We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak." Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," Little said. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." Norris said it appeared the sniper or snipers were hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings", he said. Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the country's constitution protects the rights of Americans to "keep and bear arms". Deaths related to gun violence are common - 17,927 people were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the US, according to the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. with reuters A man has been found dead near a firearm on a mountain in the US state of Idaho after two firefighters were shot dead in an ambush while attending a blaze. The Kootenai County Sheriff's department said a tactical response team found the dead man late on Sunday. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of firearm was found. Though the shelter-in-place order was lifted, the sheriff's office cautioned residents to be prepared because the fire was still burning. Sheriff Bob Norris had earlier said law enforcement officers and firefighters were taking sniper fire and urged people to stay clear of the area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers near Coeur d'Alene, about 420km east of Seattle. "This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "At this time, the shelter in place is being lifted, however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken." The sheriff said the shooter had used high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders, with law enforcement initially unsure of the number of perpetrators involved. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings," Norris added. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene. "FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. "It remains an active, and very dangerous scene." Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21pm on Sunday, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later, reports emerged that they were being shot at. "We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," Norris said. "We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak." Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," Little said. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." Norris said it appeared the sniper or snipers were hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings", he said. Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the country's constitution protects the rights of Americans to "keep and bear arms". Deaths related to gun violence are common - 17,927 people were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the US, according to the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. with reuters A man has been found dead near a firearm on a mountain in the US state of Idaho after two firefighters were shot dead in an ambush while attending a blaze. The Kootenai County Sheriff's department said a tactical response team found the dead man late on Sunday. Officials did not release his name, nor did they say what kind of firearm was found. Though the shelter-in-place order was lifted, the sheriff's office cautioned residents to be prepared because the fire was still burning. Sheriff Bob Norris had earlier said law enforcement officers and firefighters were taking sniper fire and urged people to stay clear of the area around Canfield Mountain, a nature zone popular with hikers near Coeur d'Alene, about 420km east of Seattle. "This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "At this time, the shelter in place is being lifted, however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken." The sheriff said the shooter had used high-powered sporting rifles to fire rapidly at first responders, with law enforcement initially unsure of the number of perpetrators involved. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings," Norris added. Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire could have been intentionally set in order to lure first responders to the scene. "FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. "It remains an active, and very dangerous scene." Firefighters received the first call of a fire around 1:21pm on Sunday, Norris said, and about 40 minutes later, reports emerged that they were being shot at. "We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," Norris said. "We are actively taking fire sniper as we speak." Governor Brad Little said "multiple" firefighters were attacked. "This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," Little said. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more." Norris said it appeared the sniper or snipers were hiding in the rugged terrain and using a high-powered rifle. He said he instructed deputies to fire back. They were in a spot "with heavy brush and they are well prepared and blending in with their surroundings", he said. Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the country's constitution protects the rights of Americans to "keep and bear arms". Deaths related to gun violence are common - 17,927 people were murdered by a gun in 2023 in the US, according to the most recent available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. with reuters
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Calculated terror: Authorities find man dead with firearm in Idaho after firefighters ambushed in deadly incident
A SWAT team has located a deceased man and a nearby firearm hours after a sniper shot and killed two firefighters and injured another while they were battling a wildfire in Idaho, authorities confirmed late Sunday. The Kootenai County Sheriff's office said the deceased male was located on Canfield Mountain. A shelter in place was lifted, but an active wildfire remained, the sheriff's office said. Authorities are expected to provide more information at a 12:30 a.m. ET press conference. The update came hours after the International Association of Fire Fighters confirmed that the two victims who were killed were firefighters. "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," the association said. "Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers." FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the agency is on scene and that it is still very active and dangerous. "FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support. It remains an active, and very dangerous scene," Bongino said. During a news conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said that at least two people were killed, possibly firefighters. Norris added that they are still "actively taking sniper fire" as he spoke. "We now have two deaths. We have an unknown amount of casualties," Norris said. "We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain. We have we might have civilians that are stuck or in shock on that mountain. So this is a very, very fresh situation." "We don't know who [the] suspect or suspects are, and we don't know how many suspects there may be," Norris said. A spokesperson for the Northern Lakes Fire Protection confirmed the situation to Fox News Digital, saying "the active shooter situation and very active wildfire scene were related." The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office issued an alert earlier Sunday afternoon stating: "Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries have been reported, though the severity remains unknown. Please avoid the area." Norris said that they are developing a plan to move people out of the mountains as soon as they get the fire under control. Officials confirmed that the firefighters were responding to a brush fire near East Nettleton Gulch Road when the shooting started. Norris said the suspect(s) used what appeared to be "modern-day, high-powered, sporting rifles." "We're taking rapid fire," Norris said. Due to the danger, fire crews had to retreat, and the brush fire continues to pose a threat. Authorities are urging residents in the vicinity to stay vigilant and exercise caution as the situation develops. "I would encourage all of you to tell people to stay away from the area, do not come to the area. Stay away from the area, Norris urged. "This is going to be if these, individuals are not neutralized quickly, this is going to be a likely a multi-day operation." Norris added that he is "hoping that, somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize" the threat because it did not seem like the suspect(s) are going to surrender anytime soon. "So as soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot and neutralize the threat," Norris said. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a statement and said more support was heading to Idaho. "Thank you to our incredible @FBI agents on the ground assisting local authorities in Idaho. We are praying for all," Bondi wrote. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also said their department is actively monitoring the situation and that "justice will be served." Idaho Governor Brad Little reacted to the incident in a post on X. "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," Little wrote. "As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs." Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also reacted to the situation, stating that this should never happen. "Deeply saddened by reports that firefighters were shot while bravely responding to a fire in North Idaho. These heroes put their lives on the line for us every day; they should never be targets," Labrador said. "Please keep our first responders and their families in your prayers." Originally published as Calculated terror: Authorities find man dead with firearm in Idaho after firefighters ambushed in deadly incident
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Idaho wildfire ambush: Two firefighters shot dead after being ‘lured' to ‘deliberate' blaze in Coeur D' Alene
Two firefighters have been killed, and local authorities are reporting potential additional casualties after an unknown number of gunmen opened fire on emergency crews arriving to battle a bushfire in the US state of Idaho. The local sheriff's department in Coeur d'Alene has released a statement saying there is an ongoing standoff between law enforcement officers and the shooter, or shooters, suspected of the attack, which was confirmed in a chilling radio call between dispatch officers and the firefighters who were under attack. 'We now have two deaths. We have an unknown number of casualties. We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain... We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,' Sheriff Robert Norris told local news reporters. The situation is terrifying for firefighters as the out-of-control blaze on the Kootenai County mountain range was still raging and is believed to have been started by those responsible for the attack. Fire crews arrived on the scene and spoke to their dispatch via radio about plans to fight the fire before being ambushed and raising desperate calls for police to attend as they were 'taking fire'. 'Send law enforcement right now, there's an active shooter zone, they're shot, BC1's down, BC3's down ... Everybody's shot up here,' the firefighter screamed through the radio. 'Law enforcement, Code three now up here. We have another firefighter down, and we need law enforcement up here. We need law enforcement,' another firefighter told the radio base. Calls went out to fire crews who were moving toward the fire not to attend and to stay away as the shooter continued on their rampage. 'They shot us with shotguns. We've got two battalion chiefs down with multiple gunshot wounds,' one fireman reported. 'I am pinned down and it is clear to me this fire was set intentionally to draw us in. 'This is an active shooter situation up here. 'I have no idea where the shooter's at or where they're going or what direction. 'I would recommend that all our fire units escape further down towards town,' the firefighter warned across radio channels. Governor Brad Little said on X that multiple firefighters were fired upon while responding to a blaze on Sunday in Kootenai County near Coeur d'Alene.. 'This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,' Little said. 'I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.' Authorities in western Idaho have urged residents to take shelter. The sheriff's office in neighbouring Soshone County said on Facebook authorities were 'dealing with an active shooter situation where the shooter is still at large'. An alert by the Kootenai County Emergency Management Office asked people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road, about 6.5 km north of downtown Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene is a city of 55,000 residents near the border with Washington. — with AAP.
