Multiple people dead as shooter attacks firefighters responding to Idaho brush fire

Yahoo

16 hours ago

In this June 2022 file photo, a Kootenai County sheriff's car is parked outside the justice building. (Photo by Anteia McCollum/Idaho Capital Sun)
Update: This story was last updated at 9:10 p.m. Mountain time on June 29.
Two people have been killed and another is injured after firefighters in north Idaho responded to emergency calls of a brush fire and a shooter opened fire on their response, according to Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris.
Kootenai Health spokesperson Kim Anderson said three victims were brought to the hospital, the Associated Press reported. Two were dead on arrival and the third was being treated for injuries, Anderson said, according to the AP.
'The wounded firefighter's condition wasn't known,' the AP reported.
The fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Pacific time Sunday near the east side of Canfield Mountain in Coeur d'Alene. The shooter opened fire around 2 p.m., Norris said at a Sunday afternoon press conference.
At about 8:50 p.m. Sunday, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that a responding SWAT team located a dead man with a rifle nearby on Canfield Mountain.
A shelter-in-place order from the Kootenai County Emergency Management system has now been lifted, according to the sheriff's office.
However, the brush fire is still burning because firefighters had to suspend their response while the shooter was still active.
'There is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain,' Kootenai County Emergency Management said in a post on Facebook. 'Local residents should be prepared and ready in the event that the situation escalates. Please continue to follow official sources for accurate information.'
The Canfield Mountain area has been designated a no-fly zone, 'including a strict prohibition on drone use,' the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said in Sunday night press release. 'Unauthorized aircraft or drones in the area pose a serious risk to firefighting and law enforcement operations.'
'The first call was at 1:21 (p.m.) on a fire, and then we started receiving over our radio that the firefighters were receiving shots fired from the mountain,' Norris said at the Sunday afternoon press conference.
Norris said he believes that the two people killed were firefighters. The responding fire crews, which included three engines, were dispatched from from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department.
'We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak,' Norris said at a press conference at 4:35 p.m. Pacific time. 'This is an active situation. We have multiple agencies that are on scene from local and federal authorities, and we are prepared to neutralize this suspect who is currently, actively shooting at public safety personnel.'
The sheriff said 'it appears modern-day sporting rifles are being used' in the attack.
Norris said law enforcement is unsure if there is one shooter or multiple attackers. He said officers and deputies are reporting from the scene that the shooter is 'blending in with their surroundings' and that shots were being fired from what seemed like multiple directions.
'It's going to be a tough next couple hours. I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize (the shooter),' Norris said at the afternoon press conference. 'Because they are not showing at this point in time any evidence that they are wanting to surrender.'
Multiple local North Idaho, state and federal agencies have responded to the incident, Norris said.
Dan Bongino, the FBI's deputy director, said in a post on X said that officials from the FBI had been dispatched 'to provide tactical and operational support' to the scene. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, reposted the update on his account.
'Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,' Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in a post 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. (Idaho first lady) Teresa and I are heartbroken.'
The governor and emergency response officials urged the public to stay away from the area while police secure and process the scene.
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.
'Gut-wrenching news coming from Coeur d'Alene,' Simpson posted on X. 'As the situation develops, our thoughts and prayers are with the brave firefighters and all first responders on the scene.'
U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both R-Idaho, also posted on X that they are monitoring the reports on the incident and are praying for the first responders and their families.
'I am monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d'Alene this evening,' Crapo posted. 'I urge local residents to follow recommendations of law enforcement. My prayers are with victims and first responders.'
In a statement at 7 p.m. Sunday, Idaho House Republican leadership said they were 'shocked by such a vicious attack.'
'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,' the statement said.
An additional press conference is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. tonight, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office press release.
This article was first published by Idaho Capital Sun, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: [e-mail].