Authorities Locate Suspect Dead With Firearm After Deadly Ambush on Idaho Firefighters
A man was found dead alongside a firearm on Canfield Mountain in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, hours after a devastating ambush that killed two firefighters and left another critically injured, authorities confirmed late Sunday.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office stated that the deceased man was discovered by a SWAT team following an hours-long manhunt. The discovery came after reports that a sniper had opened fire on emergency crews who were responding to a wildfire in the area.
The Sheriff’s Office lifted a previously issued shelter-in-place order, though the wildfire that initially brought the firefighters to the scene remains active and continues to threaten the region.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) confirmed that two of their members were fatally shot, and a third remains hospitalized following surgery. “While responding to a fire earlier today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IAFF members were ambushed in a heinous act of violence. Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery,” the union said in a statement. “Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed that the bureau had deployed tactical and technical teams to support the local response. “FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support. It remains an active, and very dangerous scene,” he said Sunday evening.
During a press conference, Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris gave further details on the tragedy, describing it as an “intentional ambush.” He confirmed that two firefighters had died and a third was in stable condition following surgery. He also said law enforcement believed the suspect intentionally started the fire to lure first responders into the ambush.
“This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance,” Norris said. He added that the suspect’s phone signal had been traced, leading authorities to his location. Due to the wildfire approaching the scene and destroying evidence, officers had to recover the body quickly. It remains unclear if the deceased had more than one firearm, pending further investigation once the fire is controlled.
Earlier in the day, the sheriff’s office had issued an alert warning residents of an active shooter on Canfield Mountain and urging people to avoid the area. Around 300 officers had been deployed as part of the law enforcement response.
The firefighters were reportedly ambushed while responding to a brush fire near East Nettleton Gulch Road. Sheriff Norris said the gunman used “modern-day, high-powered, sporting rifles” and opened heavy fire, forcing fire crews to retreat and leaving the blaze unchecked.
“This remains a volatile and dangerous situation,” Norris said, warning that unless the suspect was neutralized quickly, it could evolve into a multi-day operation.
Public officials at all levels of government responded to the tragedy. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement thanking federal agents on the ground and assuring the public that additional resources were being deployed. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said their agency was actively monitoring the situation and promised justice would be served.
Idaho Governor Brad Little expressed deep sorrow in a post shared on social media, writing:
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This 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. As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs.”
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also issued a statement condemning the violence:
“Deeply saddened by reports that firefighters were shot while bravely responding to a fire in North Idaho. These heroes put their lives on the line for us every day; they should never be targets. Please keep our first responders and their families in your prayers.”
Sheriff Norris confirmed that his office was in close coordination with the White House, the FBI, and the governor’s office throughout the operation.
For continued updates, follow GorgeousTrends as this story develops and investigators work to determine the full circumstances behind this tragic attack on our frontline heroes.
