Two firefighters were killed and a third was fighting for his life Sunday when a suspected sniper, who was apparently found dead, ambushed fire crews responding to a deliberately set wildfire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Republican Gov. Brad Little of Idaho responded to the active shooter incident in a statement posted on X Sunday, while the International Association of Firefighters confirmed two firefighters were killed and a third was in surgery in a Sunday night post on X. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office announced a man was found dead with a firearm and lifted the shelter in place order late Sunday.
“This evening, members of the SWAT team located a deceased male on Canfield Mountain,” the office said in a statement. “A firearm was found nearby.”
Kootenai Country Sheriff Robert Norris said during a Sunday night press conference the firefirghters responding to the scene “did not have a chance” when the suspected sniper opened fire after starting the fire to lure first responders to the location.
“This was a total ambush,” Norris told reporters.
BREAKING: Man with firearm found dead on mountain amid deadly standoff in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Sheriff says.
Shelter in place lifted. pic.twitter.com/N8AXfyhREl
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 30, 2025
“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 posted. “Please keep them, their families, and law enforcement in your prayers.”
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.
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) June 30, 2025
“Multiple heroic firefighters were attacked today while responding to a fire in North Idaho. This is a heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters.” Little posted. “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.”
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…
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) June 29, 2025
Norris said during an earlier press conference that law enforcement personnel were still being fired upon.
“It is going to be a tough next couple of hours, absolutely,” Norris said. “I’m hoping that somebody has a clear shot, and is able to neutralize. Because they are not, at this point in time, showing any evidence of wanting to surrender. So as soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot, neutralize the threat.”
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