{"id":29293,"date":"2025-06-30T14:19:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T14:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=29293"},"modified":"2025-06-30T14:19:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T14:19:23","slug":"2-firefighters-shot-dead-1-injured-after-sniper-ambushes-crew-responding-to-idaho-blaze-did-not-have-a-chance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=29293","title":{"rendered":"2 firefighters shot dead, 1 injured after \u2018sniper\u2019 ambushes crew responding to Idaho blaze: \u2018Did not have a chance\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Two firefighters were killed and a third was injured when first responders were ambushed by an hours-long barrage of gunfire after arriving at the scene of a blaze in Idaho Sunday afternoon, authorities said.<\/p>\n

The horrific attack, which began around 2 p.m. local time on Canfield Mountain near Coeur d\u2019Alene, ended about five hours later when SWAT teams discovered the lifeless body of a man next to a firearm on the popular tourist trail, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a total ambush, these firefighters did not have a chance,\u201d Sheriff Bob Norris told reporters after the massive manhunt, assuring the community there is no longer an active threat.<\/p>\n

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\"Idaho7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Two people were killed after a gunman opened fire Sunday.KXLY<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe have currently one dead shooter based on the preliminary investigation that was being conducted.\u00a0Keep in mind we had a fire that was rapidly approaching the body so we had to scoop up that body and we had to transport that body to a different location. We believe that it is the only shooter that was on that mountain at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Police have not released the suspected gunman\u2019s identity, the type of weapon recovered at the gruesome scene, or the cause of his death.<\/p>\n

A motive remains under investigation, but police believe the fire was intentionally set to lure first responders into a deadly trap.<\/p>\n

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\"Law7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
The two people killed in the shootout were fire personnel.REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe do believe that the suspect started the fire and we do believe it was an ambush and it was intentional,\u201d Norris said.<\/p>\n

A Coeur d\u2019Alene firefighter and a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue member were shot dead in the sudden strike.<\/p>\n

The third victim, a Coeur d\u2019Alene firefighter who was shot during the violent surprise attack, is recovering at Kootenai Health after undergoing surgery.<\/p>\n

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\"Smoke7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Deputies believe the body they found was the only shooter.REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe is fighting for his life but he\u2019s in stable condition,\u201d the sheriff added.<\/p>\n

No other first responders or civilians were hurt in the ruthless rampage.<\/p>\n

The deadly shooting erupted roughly 30 minutes after first responders were called to a small but active brush fire on the\u00a0east side of the\u00a0mountain.<\/p>\n

As fire crews moved in to tackle the blaze, bullets suddenly rained down from multiple directions fired by an unknown assailant hiding in the woods, officials said.<\/p>\n

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\"Idaho7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Police on the scene in Coeur d\u2019Alene, Idaho.KXLY<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe knew that our resources were exhausted and if this were to prolong into a 24- to 48-hour operation, we would need additional helicopters,\u201d Norris said of the relentless gunfight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had two helicopters that were up and we had snipers in them, so if they had an opportunity to take a shot, we wanted them to take that shot. We wanted to neutralize that threat.\u201d<\/p>\n

The FBI responded to provide tactical and operational support, bureau Deputy Director Dan Bongino said, with\u00a0about 300 first responders also on site from state and local agencies.<\/p>\n

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\"First7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
First responders at the scene of the shooting.KREM 2<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meanwhile, the\u00a0nearly 20-acre\u00a0brush fire has continued to rage as authorities had been too busy responding to the shooting to fight the blaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to keep burning.\u00a0Can\u2019t put any resources on it right now,\u201d Norris said\u00a0before the suspected\u00a0gunman was found dead.<\/p>\n

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\"Law7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area.KREM 2<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\"Police7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>
Shelter-in-place orders were issued for nearby residents.REUTERS<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Idaho Gov. Brad Little urged the public to avoid the area when shelter-in-place orders were issued for the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and nearby areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cMultiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho,\u201d Little said in\u00a0a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters. I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more. Teresa and I are heartbroken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier shelter-in-place orders have since been lifted, but police cautioned residents that the fire remains active.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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