Idaho Firefighters Ambushed by Lone Shooter Who Is Found Dead
Two firefighters were fatally shot and another wounded during an ambush while responding to a wildfire in Idaho. Authorities later found the suspected shooter dead.
Kootenai County Sheriff Richard Norris stated at a press briefing that preliminary evidence suggests the deceased individual was the sole assailant, and he reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Earlier, a tactical team discovered the suspect’s body on Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking area near Coeur d’Alene, located approximately 260 miles east of Seattle. A firearm was found nearby, but the suspect’s identity has not been released.
The sheriff noted that the “shelter in place” order had been lifted, though the wildfire on Canfield Mountain remains active. The attacker reportedly used a high-powered sporting rifle to rapidly shoot at the firefighters, and initial uncertainty existed about whether more attackers were involved.
The location featured dense brush, and the shooter appeared well camouflaged in the environment.
Video from the scene showed smoke rising from forested hills and emergency personnel preparing to respond, with ambulances transporting victims to a nearby hospital.
Idaho’s Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as a "heinous direct assault" on firefighters.
Law enforcement is investigating whether the fire was deliberately set to draw first responders into the ambush.
Gun ownership is widespread in the United States, where constitutional rights protect citizens’ ability to possess firearms. Gun-related deaths are a frequent occurrence, with data from 2023 reporting nearly 18,000 firearm homicides nationwide.
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