A gunman shot at firefighters battling a wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, killing two people. Officials said the shooter was still active on Sunday afternoon, and police were “taking sniper fire,” according to the Kootenai County Sheriff.
Attack at Canfield Mountain
The sheriff’s office said fire crews arrived at Canfield Mountain around 1:30 p.m. local time. About 30 minutes later, someone reported hearing gunfire. The situation quickly turned dangerous for the emergency teams.
Idaho Governor Brad Little confirmed that “multiple” firefighters were targeted. He called the shooting “a heinous, direct assault on our brave firefighters.” In his message on X, he added, “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”
Shooter Still on the Run
Authorities from nearby Shoshone County warned residents that the suspect had not yet been caught. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office said law enforcement was handling “an active shooter situation.”
Officials urged people to stay away from the area around the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road. This location is roughly 6.5 kilometers north of downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Fire Still Burning
While firefighters continued to deal with the wildfire, officials did not share any more updates about the fire’s status or the shooter’s identity. The threat remained ongoing.
Community in Shock
Coeur d’Alene, a city of about 55,000 people near the Washington state border, is now dealing with both a wildfire and a deadly shooting. The situation left the community shaken and first responders in danger.