At least two firefighters have been shot and injured by someone who set a remote wildness fire and laid in wait to ambush the firefighters. There's two police helicopters currently searching and two medical helicopters being used to evacuate two firefighters with gunshot wounds to the chest.
EDIT
Original Call
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Kootenai County issued an emergency alert advising residents in the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road area of Coeur d’Alene to shelter in place.
Emergency management officials are urging anyone not in the area to avoid it due to ongoing law enforcement activity.
According to Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District, law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions is assisting with the situation.
Chief Riley shared his personal reaction to the incident, stating, "My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken. We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community."
UPDATE: June 29 at 3:30 p.m.
According to Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District, law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions is assisting with the situation.
Chief Riley shared his personal reaction to the incident, stating, "My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken. We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community."
He emphasized that firefighters remain focused on their duties despite the circumstances. However, fire suppression efforts have been halted, said Chief Riley.
Despite the challenges, evacuations are not currently anticipated. Residents are advised to stay alert to their surroundings and await further information as it becomes available.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Police and emergency crews are responding to an active shooter situation, where multiple firefighters were reportedly shot.
Kootenai County Deputies are asking residents to avoid the area.
According to Northern Lakes Fire Protection Chief Pat Riley, firefighters were reportedly shot while responding to a brush fire in the area of East Nettleton Gulch Road.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert to residents stating: “Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries are reported, but the extent is unknown. Avoid the area.”
Fire crews were forced to pull back, and the brush fire remains an active threat. Authorities urge residents nearby to remain cautious and alert, as the situation is still unfolding.
UPDATE AS OF 8:30 PST
UPDATE AS OF 9:15 PST
Both firefighters have passed away.
Great posts / meaningful updates :
UPDATE AS OF 10:00 PST
UPDATE AS OF 10:30 PST
Additional medical helicopters are en route.
UPDATE AS OF 11:00 PST
Two people were fatally shot in a mountain community in Idaho, located in the north-western US, while responding to a brush fire, say officials.
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Robert Norris said at least one suspect was firing at law enforcement with a high-powered rifle near the city of Coeur d'Alene.
"We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak," said Sheriff Norris, adding that officers reported bullets coming from various directions. Residents were asked to avoid the scene, which is on Canfield Mountain.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents would "provide tactical and operational support", Governor Brad Little said "multiple heroic firefighters" were attacked.
"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," the governor posted on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more."
He added: "As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs."
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said on X he was "monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d'Alene".
Sheriff Norris said at a news conference on Sunday, "we don't know if there's one, two, three or four" shooters at the scene, about four miles (6.5km) north of central Coeur d'Alene.
"We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," he said.
Authorities believed the two people killed were firemen.
"I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they're not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender," the sheriff added.
"If these individuals are not neutralized quickly, this is going to be a likely a multi-day operation".
He told reporters there were civilians on Canfield Mountain, which is crisscrossed with hiking and biking trails, so it "would be safe to assume" others were still up there.
The call about the brush fire came in around 13:22 local time (20:22 GMT) on Sunday. At 14:00, firefighters reported shots fired
A law enforcement source told the BBC's US partner CBS that the shooter was believed to be hidden among heavy brush and thick trees.
Helicopters with heat-seeking technology were flying over the area trying to pinpoint the assailant, but they experienced difficulty because of smoke from the wildfire, which was still burning.
Hikers on the mountain - asked to shelter in place - also were detected by the heat-seeking devices, leading to uncertainty if they were friend or foe.
A firefighters' union boss confirmed two of its members had been killed in the attack.
Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, posted on X: "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.
"Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers."
Local fire chief Pat Riley told TV station KHQ he was "heartbroken" by the attack.
Kootenai County Emergency Management Office sent an alert asking people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road.
Coeur d'Alene resident Linda Tiger, 80, told the BBC she was shocked by the shooting.
"This has never happened here," said Mrs. Tiger, who has lived in the city for nearly 30 years. "But it goes to show that that no-one is safe from this kind of mental sadness."
She said she was staying indoors as "all Coeur d'Alene is supposed to shelter in place, but I see people walking around because they haven't heard the news".
The city of around 56,000 people is near the border with Washington state.
UPDATE AS OF 11:45 PST
It appears the suspect has been injured / shot / killed / apprehended. Soon there will be a video press conference.
UPDATE AS OF 11:50 PST
"Breaking news.. uhh.. Tom Winters of NBC News said that the person, deceased male found, presumably the suspect, was found with a self inflicted gunshot wound." Now, that is not in the press briefing, sorry, that is not in the media release. Uh, I'm not surprised to hear this and a number of you thought that might be the case but Tom Winter of NBC News says that, according to the local sheriff's office, this was a self inflected gunshot wound, he is a crime reporter with NBC News."
EDIT
Original Call
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Kootenai County issued an emergency alert advising residents in the Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road area of Coeur d’Alene to shelter in place.
Emergency management officials are urging anyone not in the area to avoid it due to ongoing law enforcement activity.
According to Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District, law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions is assisting with the situation.
Chief Riley shared his personal reaction to the incident, stating, "My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken. We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community."
UPDATE: June 29 at 3:30 p.m.
According to Chief Pat Riley of the Northern Lakes Fire District, law enforcement from multiple jurisdictions is assisting with the situation.
Chief Riley shared his personal reaction to the incident, stating, "My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken. We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community."
He emphasized that firefighters remain focused on their duties despite the circumstances. However, fire suppression efforts have been halted, said Chief Riley.
Despite the challenges, evacuations are not currently anticipated. Residents are advised to stay alert to their surroundings and await further information as it becomes available.
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Police and emergency crews are responding to an active shooter situation, where multiple firefighters were reportedly shot.
Kootenai County Deputies are asking residents to avoid the area.
According to Northern Lakes Fire Protection Chief Pat Riley, firefighters were reportedly shot while responding to a brush fire in the area of East Nettleton Gulch Road.
The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert to residents stating: “Active shooter at Canfield Mountain. Injuries are reported, but the extent is unknown. Avoid the area.”
Fire crews were forced to pull back, and the brush fire remains an active threat. Authorities urge residents nearby to remain cautious and alert, as the situation is still unfolding.
UPDATE AS OF 8:30 PST
- The fire, named the Nettleton Gulch Fire, is less than an acre in size, but firefighting efforts were halted due to the ongoing gunfire.5
- Sheriff Robert Norris confirmed that law enforcement officers were still taking sniper fire and that the shooter or shooters had not yet been neutralized as of Sunday afternoon.2
- Multiple agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, are assisting in the operation to locate and apprehend the suspect or suspects.5
- A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents in the vicinity of Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road.3
UPDATE AS OF 9:15 PST
Both firefighters have passed away.
Great posts / meaningful updates :
UPDATE AS OF 10:00 PST
UPDATE AS OF 10:30 PST
Additional medical helicopters are en route.
UPDATE AS OF 11:00 PST
Idaho police under sniper attack as ambush on firefighters leaves two dead
Two people were fatally shot in a mountain community in Idaho, located in the north-western US, while responding to a brush fire, say officials.
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Robert Norris said at least one suspect was firing at law enforcement with a high-powered rifle near the city of Coeur d'Alene.
"We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak," said Sheriff Norris, adding that officers reported bullets coming from various directions. Residents were asked to avoid the scene, which is on Canfield Mountain.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents would "provide tactical and operational support", Governor Brad Little said "multiple heroic firefighters" were attacked.
"This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters," the governor posted on X. "I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more."
He added: "As this situation is still developing, please stay clear from the area to allow law enforcement and firefighters to do their jobs."
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo said on X he was "monitoring the horrific reports out of Coeur d'Alene".
Sheriff Norris said at a news conference on Sunday, "we don't know if there's one, two, three or four" shooters at the scene, about four miles (6.5km) north of central Coeur d'Alene.
"We don't know how many suspects are up there, and we don't know how many casualties there are," he said.
Authorities believed the two people killed were firemen.
"I'm hoping that somebody has a clear shot and is able to neutralize, because they're not at this point in time showing any evidence of wanting to surrender," the sheriff added.
"If these individuals are not neutralized quickly, this is going to be a likely a multi-day operation".
He told reporters there were civilians on Canfield Mountain, which is crisscrossed with hiking and biking trails, so it "would be safe to assume" others were still up there.
The call about the brush fire came in around 13:22 local time (20:22 GMT) on Sunday. At 14:00, firefighters reported shots fired
A law enforcement source told the BBC's US partner CBS that the shooter was believed to be hidden among heavy brush and thick trees.
Helicopters with heat-seeking technology were flying over the area trying to pinpoint the assailant, but they experienced difficulty because of smoke from the wildfire, which was still burning.
Hikers on the mountain - asked to shelter in place - also were detected by the heat-seeking devices, leading to uncertainty if they were friend or foe.
A firefighters' union boss confirmed two of its members had been killed in the attack.
Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, posted on X: "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.
"Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers."
Local fire chief Pat Riley told TV station KHQ he was "heartbroken" by the attack.
Kootenai County Emergency Management Office sent an alert asking people to avoid the area around Canfield Mountain Trailhead and Nettleton Gulch Road.
Coeur d'Alene resident Linda Tiger, 80, told the BBC she was shocked by the shooting.
"This has never happened here," said Mrs. Tiger, who has lived in the city for nearly 30 years. "But it goes to show that that no-one is safe from this kind of mental sadness."
She said she was staying indoors as "all Coeur d'Alene is supposed to shelter in place, but I see people walking around because they haven't heard the news".
The city of around 56,000 people is near the border with Washington state.
UPDATE AS OF 11:45 PST
It appears the suspect has been injured / shot / killed / apprehended. Soon there will be a video press conference.
UPDATE AS OF 11:50 PST
"Breaking news.. uhh.. Tom Winters of NBC News said that the person, deceased male found, presumably the suspect, was found with a self inflicted gunshot wound." Now, that is not in the press briefing, sorry, that is not in the media release. Uh, I'm not surprised to hear this and a number of you thought that might be the case but Tom Winter of NBC News says that, according to the local sheriff's office, this was a self inflected gunshot wound, he is a crime reporter with NBC News."
Last edited:
