Two firefighters have tragically lost their lives, and another was wounded following a suspected sniper attack in Idaho, according to police reports.
The firefighting team was called to combat a wildfire on Canfield Mountain, near Coeur d’Alene in the northwest region of the state, when they were unexpectedly shot at by a sniper at approximately 2.00pm on June 29, as stated by authorities.
Fire personnel from both the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue faced a hail of gunfire about half an hour after their arrival on the scene to battle the flames.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a firefighter from each department succumbed to the shooting, labeled a “heinous act of violence” by the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
He expressed on Twitter: “Two of our brothers were killed by a sniper, and a third brother remains in surgery.”
Idaho Governor Brad Little remarked: “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. Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
Residents have been advised to avoid the Canfield Mountain area as the wildfire continues to rage, although the suspected shooter was discovered deceased in the rugged landscape.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement: “This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain. A firearm was found nearby. Additional information will be provided during the scheduled press briefing at 9:30 PM.”
“At this time, the Shelter in Place is being lifted however there is still an active wildfire on Canfield Mountain. Residents in the area are advised to be prepared and ready should further action need to be taken.”
The third firefighter, injured in the incident, hails from Coeur d’Alene’s division. Sheriff Bob Norris informed the press that he is “fighting for his life but he’s in stable condition.”
“This was a total ambush, these firefighters did not have a chance,” he noted.
“We have currently one dead shooter based on the preliminary investigation that was being conducted. Keep 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.”
The identities of the three firefighting victims have yet to be disclosed.