Two firefighters shot dead in Idaho ambush, gunman found dead after standoff

Firefighters ambushed on arrival; suspect tracked by phone and found by SWAT as fire approached his location

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A gunman ambushed and fatally shot two firefighters responding to a forest fire in northern Idaho on Sunday, wounding a third, during an hours-long standoff before the suspect was found dead, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said.

The shooting occurred at Canfield Mountain, a nature area popular with hikers near Coeur d'Alene, about 260 miles (420 km) east of Seattle. Sheriff Bob Norris told reporters that the incident involved sniper fire targeting both law enforcement officers and firefighters.

“We do believe that the suspect started the fire,” Norris said during a press conference. “This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance.”

A third firefighter, who was wounded, underwent surgery and is now in stable condition but “fighting for his life,” Norris said.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, though it remains unclear whether the gunman was killed by police or died by suicide. Authorities have not yet identified the suspect or determined a motive.

Over 300 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies responded to the incident. The response included two helicopters carrying snipers. The suspect reportedly used a high-powered sporting rifle and fired rapidly at first responders. Norris said investigators would likely recover more firearms at the scene once the fire was extinguished.

Firefighters came under fire almost immediately after arriving at the scene, unaware of the shooter's location. The suspect was later located using cell phone tracking and was recovered by a SWAT team as the fire neared his position.

Video footage showed smoke billowing from the wooded hills, armed responders preparing for engagement, and ambulances arriving at a nearby hospital.

“FBI technical teams and tactical assets are currently on the scene providing support,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted on X.

According to Norris, firefighters received the initial fire call at 1:21 p.m. (2021 GMT). Within 40 minutes, reports emerged that they were under fire.

“This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters,” Idaho Governor Brad Little posted on X. “I ask all Idahoans to pray for them and their families as we wait to learn more.”

Gun ownership is widespread in the US, where the Constitution protects the right to bear arms. Gun-related deaths remain a persistent issue: in 2023, 17,927 people were murdered with firearms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.