Authorities in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, took “active sniper fire” for nearly two hours after firefighters responded to a call reporting a fire on Canfield Mountain. At least two firefighters were killed, and one was critically injured. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated the fire was reported at 1:21 PM local time, and shots were fired at first responders around 2 PM. After a lengthy standoff, law enforcement discovered the body of a man believed to have been the suspect, though it is unclear whether the police killed the suspect or if he took his own life.
“We do believe the suspect started the fire, it was an ambush, and it was totally intentional,” Norris said. “This was a total ambush,” Sheriff Norris said, adding: “These firefighters did not have a chance.” Law enforcement from local, state, and federal agencies responded to the scene, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dispatching a helicopter for aerial support.
