COUER D'ALENE, Idaho — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office says a suspected shooter was found dead on Sunday evening after the man allegedly opened fire on firefighters responding to a brush fire near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Two firefighters were killed and one other firefighter was injured as crews responded to the fire near Canfield Mountain on Sunday afternoon.
Authorities believe the suspected shooter intentionally set the fire and planned to ambush the crews who responded, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference.
As the suspected shooter was found dead, crews had to move the body quickly before the surrounding fire engulfed the area, authorities said.
The shooting occurred in the area of East Nettleton Gulch Road.
Of the firefighters killed, one worked for the Kootenai County Fire Department, while the other worked for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, authorities said in the press conference.
The sheriff’s office says the injured firefighter is out of surgery but is still “fighting for his life.”
The shelter-in-place order issued earlier on Sunday has now been lifted, but there is still an active brush fire on Canfield Mountain, the sheriff’s office says.
“My immediate reaction was completely heartbroken,” Northern Lakes Fire Protection District Chief Pat Riley said. “We trained for this. You never want to see it in your own community.”
Despite the violence, Riley said firefighters remain focused on their duties. However, firefighting operations were suspended for safety, allowing the brush fire to continue burning.
Officials have not ordered evacuations at this time, but they are urging residents near Canfield Mountain to stay alert, avoid the area, and wait for updates as the situation continues to unfold.
Authorities have not released the names of the deceased or provided additional details on the victims.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.
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