Northern Idaho: A tragic incident unfolded in northern Idaho on Sunday when a gunman ambushed a team of firefighters responding to a wildfire, fatally shooting two and critically wounding a third. The hours-long standoff ended with the suspected shooter being found dead, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
The violence occurred at Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking area near Coeur d’Alene, roughly 260 miles east of Seattle. According to Sheriff Bob Norris, the suspect deliberately set the fire to lure emergency personnel into a deadly trap.
“This was a calculated ambush,” Norris stated during a press briefing. “Our firefighters had no warning and no chance to defend themselves.”
The third firefighter, who survived the attack, underwent emergency surgery and remains in stable condition. Sheriff Norris also noted that law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the assailant, but it is still unclear whether the suspect was killed by police or died by suicide. His identity has not yet been released, and investigators are still working to determine a motive.
The suspect reportedly used a high-powered sporting rifle to open fire on first responders. Due to the volume and intensity of the gunfire, officers initially suspected multiple shooters. Officials anticipate uncovering additional firearms at the scene once the fire is fully controlled.
First responders came under immediate fire upon arriving at the blaze. The gunman's location was eventually identified using cellphone tracking, and a SWAT team retrieved his body as the wildfire drew closer to the area.
Over 300 officers from local, state, and federal agencies, including sniper teams aboard helicopters, responded to the unfolding crisis. Footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from forested hills while heavily armed personnel and emergency vehicles prepared for action. Ambulances were also seen rushing to a nearby hospital.
The FBI has deployed technical teams and tactical units to assist in the ongoing investigation. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed their presence via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Fire crews were initially dispatched to the scene around 1:21 p.m. local time, and reports of gunfire began coming in approximately 40 minutes later.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the violence as a “heinous attack” and urged residents to keep the victims and their families in their prayers.
The attack adds to the ongoing toll of gun violence in the United States, where firearm ownership is constitutionally protected. In 2023 alone, over 17,900 people were murdered with guns, according to the latest data.
