Two firefighters tragically lost their lives, and another was seriously injured after an ambush by a gunman on Sunday afternoon, according to local authorities.
“Everybody’s shot up here”
Several firefighters were attacked by an unidentified gunman after being dispatched to a wildfire near a popular outdoor recreation area in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon.
One firefighter urgently called for help over the radio, telling emergency services, “We need law enforcement up here immediately,” as captured in the audio obtained by CNN.
The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. when firefighters responded to reports of a small brush fire. About 30 minutes later, gunshots rang out from the woods. The assailant had been lying in wait, apparently planning the ambush.
“It’s clear to me that this fire was set intentionally to draw us in,” the firefighter said.
“Send law enforcement right now, there’s an active shooter zone,” he added. “Everybody’s shot up here.”
Two Kill///ed
Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed during a press briefing that the two individuals ki///lled are believed to be firefighters, according to ABC7.
In a statement posted by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on social media, the union representing firefighters, members were targeted during a response to a fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The post read, “While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence.”
It continued, “Two of our brothers were kil///led by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
During a Sunday evening press conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris revealed the tense and dangerous situation his team was facing.
“We are actively taking sniper fire,” he stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the unfolding crisis.
“This is a very, very fresh situation,” Norris added.
Suspect Found Dead
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office reported that a SWAT team later discovered a deceased male on the mountain with a firearm nearby. Authorities believe this man to be the suspect responsible for the fatal attack.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that the fire was intentionally set to lure emergency responders into a deadly trap.
“We’re looking into whether the fire may have been used to draw first responders to the scene,” Kootenai County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Howard told ABC News.
Former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis told CNN that getting a call about firefighters being shot at was “a worst-case scenario” for law enforcement.
He described the “chilling audio” as a clear indication that lives were in immediate danger and that people needed urgent rescue.
“Almost Like a Battlefield Scene”
“You feel for the firefighters who were calling that in,” Davis said, “because there were literally people bleeding to death on the ground, and they were pinned down behind their fire truck. So very troubling, almost like a battlefield scene.”
The FBI has joined the investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security has also been briefed, an official from DHS told ABC News.
The Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas had been placed under a shelter-in-place order, which has since been lifted. However, residents are still urged to remain alert due to the ongoing fire situation.
Idaho Governor Brad Little condemned the attack as “a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In a statement, he added, “Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
