Two firefighters were killed and residents were ordered to shelter in place, but the order was lifted after police found a dead man in the woods.
Suspected shooter found dead after Idaho ambush kills two firefighters
The suspected shooter was found dead, according to authorities, after allegedly starting a brush fire to lure firefighters in.
A sniper in Idaho started a blaze and fatally shot two responding firefighters in an ambush attack before being found dead hours later, authorities said.
The discovery of the body on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking destination outside the city of Coeur d’Alene, culminated six hours of frenzied activity that saw around 300 local, state and federal officers flock to the area. It began with the suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, lighting an early afternoon fire and then shooting the first responders who came to put it out.
A third firefighter was also shot but underwent surgery and is in stable condition, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said at a news conference.
“This was a total ambush,” he told reporters. “These firefighters did not have a chance.”
Authorities found the shooter’s body and a nearby firearm using cell phone location data, Norris said. It’s unclear how the suspect died but Norris said law enforcement responding to the shooting had exchanged gunfire with him.
As investigators search for the shooter’s motive, firefighters have resumed battling the blaze, which had grown to 20 acres by late Sunday night, Norris said. Firefighters will work through the night to contain the fire before investigators conduct a more thorough search of the area. Norris said he believes more weapons will be found in the mountainous terrain.
“(Today) is a day that we will not forget in this community,” Bruce Mattare, chairman of the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, said at a news conference. “It is the day evil showed its face and we lost two outstanding professionals of the highest quality.”
Timeline of the Canfield Mountain attack
At 1:21 p.m. local time, emergency dispatchers received a phone call reporting a fire on the east side of Canfield Mountain, Norris said. The caller did not reveal his name and is not believed to be the gunman.
Firefighters arrived at the scene, and at 2 p.m. firefighters broadcast that there were shots fired.
Hundreds of law enforcement agents responded to the scene of the shooting. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Norris said.
Investigators used cell phone location data and discovered a signal on Canfield Mountain that had not moved since 3:16 p.m. Authorities honed in on the location and discovered the man who they believe to be the suspect.
Just after 7:40 p.m., the Kootenai Sheriff’s Office announced that a man had been found dead and lifted the shelter in place order.
What do we know about the firefighters?
Authorities did not publicly identify the firefighters killed and injured in the attack.
Norris told reporters that one of the slain firefighters worked at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and the other worked for the Coeur D’Alene Fire Department. The firefighter who was injured in the shooting also worked for the Coeur D’Alene Fire Department.
A procession was held for the firefighters Sunday night, Norris said.
Law enforcement swarms ‘beautiful corner of the world’: Local resident
Nancy Murren, a longtime resident of Coeur d’Alene, said her quiet neighborhood was swarming with law enforcement as authorities responded to the deadly attack at Canfield Mountain.
Murren, who frequently hikes the Canfield Mountain trails, said helicopters for hours circled over the heavily forested area and a vast amount of law enforcement were on the ground.
It’s unlike anything she’d ever seen in her more than 30 years in Coeur d’Alene, a leafy city in northwest Idaho about 30 miles east of Spokane, Washington.
“We have a beautiful corner of the world right here – it’s nice and peaceful,” she said.
Murren said she stopped hearing helicopters around the time law enforcement lifted the shelter in place and said a man was found dead on Canfield Mountain.
Murren said she hopes authorities will be able to concentrate on the fire, which officials said was still burning and at risk of expanding. Murren’s backyard is at the bottom of Canfield Mountain, and she said she and her husband will water down their house and yard if the wildfire heads further in their direction.
The longtime resident said while wildfires are common in northern Idaho, there hasn’t been a major wildfire on Canfield Mountain in at least a decade.
Two firefighters killed, third injured
The International Association of Fire Fighters said in a post on X that two of its members were killed in the ambush and a third remains in surgery.
“While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence,” the labor union said. “Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
Kim Anderson, a spokesperson for Kootenai Health hospital system, told USA TODAY the facility received the two deceased firefighters and another person injured in the attack. She said she did not know the condition of the injured victim and deferred additional questions to local law enforcement.
Authorities tell civilians to avoid Canfield Mountain because of fire
Officials are asking civilians to steer clear of the area as law enforcement and firefighters address the crisis and deal with an ongoing crisis. But a stricter shelter in place order has been lifted.
The agency had also dedicated Canfield Mountain a “no-fly zone.”
“Due to the ongoing incident on Canfield Mountain, the area has been designated a no-fly zone, including a strict prohibition on drone use,” the agency said. “Unauthorized aircraft or drones in the area pose a serious risk to firefighting and law enforcement operations.”
FBI tactical teams responding to shooting
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X that tactical teams have responded to the scene of the shooting.
“It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he said.
Sandra Barker, an FBI regional spokesperson, told USA TODAY in a statement that, “At this time, I can confirm the Salt Lake City Field Office, which covers Idaho, is providing assistance. I’ll refer you to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for any further information.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi offered prayers as federal and local authorities responded to the attack.“Thank you to our incredible @FBI agents on the ground assisting local authorities in Idaho,” she wrote on X. “We are praying for all.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a post on X that the federal agency was “actively monitoring the scene in Coeur d’Alene.”
“Pray for Idaho’s first responders,” she said. “Justice will be served.”
– Christopher Cann, Josh Meyer
Canfield Mountain is a destination for hikers
The Canfield Mountain area where the shootings happened is a destination for hikers and mountain bikers.
Canfield Mountain Natural Area is a 24-acre park that includes trails for hiking and mountain biking, according to the city of Coeur d’Alene. Satellite photos show a mountain covered in forest.
A Forest Service fact sheet says there are over 25 miles of trails in the area.
Kootenai Sheriff Norris said at an afternoon news conference that law enforcement was still working to clear the area of civilians.
US senators for Idaho watching situation
The U.S. senators for Idaho Mike Crapo and Jim Risch said they were monitoring the situation and offered prayers to first responders and victims.
“I am monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d’Alene this evening. I urge local residents to follow recommendations of law enforcement,” Crapo said. “My prayers are with victims and first responders.”
Risch slammed the attack.
“Vicki and I join all Idahoans in mourning the heroic first responders murdered and others injured in the line of duty in Kootenai County,” he said in a statement on social media. “This villainous attack on the people who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities is despicable and NOT Idaho.”
Idaho GOP Chair Dorothy Moon said in a statement that she stands with first responders and is praying for victims’ families.
“I pray the shooters are stopped before more harm is done. Godspeed to the law enforcement officers on the ground,” Moon said.
— Christopher Cann
Where is Coeur d’Alene?
The attack on the firefighters happened outside Coeur d’Alene, a small city in northwest Idaho.
U.S. census data estimates say it has a population of over 57,000.
It is located in Kootenai County, an area north of the Coeur d’Alene Native American Reservation. Kootenai borders Washington state and has a population of over 188,000, according to the latest census estimates.
How big is the fire?
Authorities said the blaze started out as a half-acre wildfire.
Three fire engines were dispatched to the scene at around 1:30 p.m. PT, authorities said.
Officials said the fire continued to blaze as authorities attempted to locate potential shooters.
